Effects of Consumption of Pomegranate Juice on Carotid Intima–Media Thickness in Men and Women at Moderate Risk for Coronary Heart Disease

Davidson MH, Maki KC, Dicklin MR, Feinstein SB, Witchger MS, Bell M, McGuire DK, Provost JC, Liker H, Aviram M · The American Journal of Cardiology · 2009 October

DOI 10.1016/j.amjcard.2009.05.037

Objective

To investigate the influence of pomegranate juice consumption on anterior and posterior carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) progression rates in subjects at moderate risk for coronary heart disease through a randomized, double-blind, parallel trial.

Conclusions

The study concludes that overall CIMT progression rate did not significantly differ between pomegranate juice and control treatments; however, in exploratory analyses, subjects with increased oxidative stress and disturbances in the TG-rich lipoprotein/HDL axis who consumed pomegranate juice showed significantly less anterior wall and/or composite CIMT progression compared to control subjects.

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Insights

Pomegranate juice consumption doesn't significantly affect overall progress of carotid intima-media thickness, but may slow its progression in subjects with high oxidative stress and lipid issues.

In the study, a randomized, double-blind, parallel trial was carried out to assess the impact of daily consumption of pomegranate juice on carotid intima-media thickness progression rates in subjects moderately at risk for coronary heart disease. The participants consisted of elderly men and women who already had one or more major risk factors for the disease. Half of the participants were given 240 ml of pomegranate juice daily to consume for a period of up to 18 months, while the other half were provided with a control beverage. The findings of the trial showed no significant difference in carotid intima-media thickness progression rates between the two groups who consumed pomegranate juice and the control beverage respectively. However, in-depth analyses revealed that among individuals with the highest tertiles for baseline serum lipid peroxides, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and other factors, those in the pomegranate juice group had experienced notably less progression of carotid intima-media thickness.