Pomegranate juice protects diabetics from heart disease
by Jessica Fraser

(NewsTarget) Drinking pomegranate juice may protect diabetics from developing heart disease, according to a new Israeli study published in the August issue of the journal Atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis -- a condition in which the walls of the arteries become thickened and hard -- is associated with roughly 80 percent of all deaths of patients with diabetes. The study -- conducted by researchers at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology -- examined the effects of daily consumption of pomegranate juice on the development of atherosclerosis.

The researchers, led by Professor Michael Aviram of the Technion Faculty of Medicine, found that diabetic patients who drank 6 ounces of pomegranate juice every day for 90 days experienced a lower risk of developing atherosclerosis.

The study's authors concluded that the juice inhibited the uptake of oxidized "bad" LDL cholesterol by immune cells called macrophages -- a process that can bring about the development of atherosclerosis.

Though pomegranate juice contains sugars identical to those found in other fruit juices -- which can increase blood sugar and exacerbate diabetes -- the sugars found in pomegranate juice did not appear to adversely affect the patients, the researchers found.

"In most juices, sugars are present in free -- and harmful -- forms," said Aviram. "In pomegranate juice, however, the sugars are attached to unique antioxidants, which actually make these sugars protective against atherosclerosis."

Though the study was fairly small -- consisting of only 20 participants -- it was part of a larger study aimed at proving the beneficial effects of pomegranate juice on cardiovascular diseases and the oxidation of cholesterol.

Previous research by Aviram has also examined the beneficial antioxidant and anti-atherosclerosis properties of onions, olive oil, licorice and red wine. Pomegranate juice has also been shown in earlier studies to be effective at reducing the risk of prostate cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

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Interesting posting, I am diabetic, and I will ask my doctor what he knows about pomegranate juice. Diabetics can eat all foods (in the proper amounts & ratio) except two items, soft drinks (diet drinks are OK), and fruit juices, these two items are strictly taboo.

Joe, i have been drinking Pomegranate juice since your post in November. I am diabetic, and test my blood sugars very frequently. Pomegranate Juice has not raised my blood sugar at all - none. Pomegranate juice is high in polyphenols which is the key antioxidant in the juice. The levels of polyphenols in pomegranate juice are higher than those in red wine, cranberry juice, grapes, orange and blueberry juice. Pomegranate juice would be highly beneficial weather your diabetic or not. - Millet

Millet, what brand/type of pomegranate juice have you been drinking? I see the 'Pom Wonderful' brand in the markets all the time (http://www.pomwonderful.com/?KNC-gle&gclid=COeGu6Tw4pICFQh4HgodZVfrbQ) but when I look at the label it seems to be very high in sugars. I was wondering if it was just another way to market a sweeter juice. It is also quite expensive.

My friend's son has Type1 diabetes, and though I am not sure something like this would benefit him, I would like to look into it more.

Chops, the only type I purchase is "Old Orchard Premium" brand. Old Orchard is 100 percent pure Pomegranate juice, with no additional sugars, or other fillers added. Eighty percent of all diabetics die from hardening of the arteries. Pomegranate juice reduces this risk, and at the same time provides the many other benefits of antioxidants. As always, it would be wise for your friend's son to consult his doctor first. - Millet (Drill ANWR)