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The Magic Fruit That Cleans Out Your Arteries
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A study published in the journal Atherosclerosis found that pomegranate extract may prevent and even reverse the risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers found that the extract produced a marked decline in the presence of occlusive plaque in the arteries of laboratory mice. This conforms with the findings of many other studies on pomegranate juice/extract that show its effectiveness in reducing the risk of heart disease and cholesterol-related conditions. Another study out of Israel, for example, showed a reduction of carotid artery congestion of nearly 30 percent among test subjects who drank pomegranate juice every day.
But what is the reason for all this? For starters, pomegranates have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation, a condition that is all too common as a result of our highly unbalanced diets, can contribute to an increased risk of heart disease. Any food, drink, or ingredient that fights inflammation is something most of us could use more of, and pomegranate juice is an excellent choice for this purpose.
Pomegranates also offer “natural angiotensin converting enzyme inhibiting properties” and increase the levels of nitric oxide in our bloodstreams. Both of these play a role in reducing blood pressure. The higher blood pressure is, the greater the risk of stroke, so pomegranates are definitely something people with hypertension or prehypertension might want to consider eating more of.
Finally, the powerful antioxidant qualities of pomegranates appear to be a factor as well. Oxidation actually makes LDL cholesterol even more harmful than it ordinarily would be. Consuming pomegranate juice can help reduce the amount of oxidative stress within the body, including in the bloodstream where arterial plaque can form. A study performed on mice and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that pomegranate juice was able to lower the amount of oxidative stress, and consequently the number of atherosclerotic lesions, by 44 percent!
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Pomegranates are great, and you’re probably not eating enough of them. There are many fruits and vegetables with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities, but pomegranates are definitely among the best, and are proven to have powerful heart-healthy qualities. Pick one up today. After the laborious process of taking it apart, you’ll see what all the fuss is about.
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