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MSM

Health News Archive 191 - Heart Health
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Pomegranate Juice Beneficial for Coronary Heart Disease

Researchers investigated whether daily consumption of pomegranate juice for three months would affect myocardial perfusion in 45 patients who had coronary heart disease (CHD) and myocardial ischemia in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. 

Patients were randomly assigned into one of two groups: a pomegranate juice group (240 ml/day), or a placebo group that drank a beverage of similar caloric content, amount, flavor, and color.  Participants underwent electrocardiographic-gated myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomographic technetium-99m tetrofosmin scintigraphy at rest and during stress at baseline and three months.  

According to the study findings, blood flow to the heart improved by 17% in the pomegranate group and declined by 18% in the placebo group.  The mean number of angina episodes decreased by 50% in the pomegranate-juice group and increased by 38% in the placebo group.  Researchers pointed out that the benefits were realized without any negative effects on lipids, blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, body weight or blood pressure.

Source: Sumner MD, et al. Effects of pomegranate juice consumption on myocardial perfusion in patients with coronary heart disease. Am J Cardiol, September 15, 2005;96(6):810-4.