Can a Fruit Juice Help Rejuvenate Narrowed Arteries? THIS WEEK IN THE HSI HEALTHIER TALK COMMUNITY Can a fruit juice help rejuvenate narrowed arteries? An HSI member named Aurora writes: "The local news said that a study shows Pomegranate Juice is good for atherosclerosis. Anyone know about this? I take chelation but any natural substance is desirable." The research Aurora refers to is probably a 2004 study that appeared in the journal Clinical Nutrition. Nineteen patients with severe atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries were divided into two groups: ten consumed about two ounces of pomegranate juice daily for one year. The other nine were simply monitored as a control group. Ultrasound tests showed that narrowing of the arteries decreased by 35 percent on average in the pomegranate group, while the condition worsened by nearly 10 percent on average in the control group. Average systolic blood pressure was also significantly lowered in the pomegranate group. A member named Harry responds enthusiastically to Aurora's post: "Pomegranate juice and extract (appear to) afford some pretty significant cardiovascular benefits. I don't think it's a panacea or even a replacement for other treatments like chelation or a sound diet, exercise and stress reduction, etc. but at the very least I think it can probably be a valuable addition to most people's diet. "If you decide to include this beverage or extract into your program, try to find an unsweetened form of it. I haven't been able to find an organic source for the juice yet but if you can, that would be preferable. "At the moment, I'm using an encapsulated pomegranate extract…but in the past I've tried Jarrow's pomegranate concentrate (liquid) and Trader Joe's 100% pomegranate juice (unfiltered). The most easily attainable p. juice is probably POM, which can be found at many markets - but, I think it's more expensive and is sweetened and filtered." When a member named Sally notes that her family enjoys pomegranate juice concentrate she buys through mercola.com, Harry inquires about the taste - "yummy or yucky?" - and Sally replies: "Personally, I like the way they all taste." (The Mercola site also offers blueberry and cherry juice concentrates.) "My 14 year old son loves it. He puts a few squirts…in a big glass of water (there is no sugar added) and drinks it with his breakfast every day." Other members offer their "consumer reports" about various brands of pomegranate juice in the thread titled "Pomegranate juice for atherosclerosis" that appears in the "Heart" forum in HSI's Healthier Talk community. My concern about pomegranate juice - and fruit juices in general - is the lack of fiber. When fruit is eaten whole, the fiber helps prevent blood sugar spikes. Take away the fiber and the natural sugars have a greater effect on blood sugar. Pomegranate juice is reputed to be an antioxidant powerhouse, rich in vitamin C, and I'm all for that. But the nutrition facts panel on one pomegranate juice product I found listed less than a gram of fiber and more than 25 grams of carbohydrates, placing it high on the glycemic index. Another product - pomegranate juice concentrate - contained 90 calories from carbs in a five-ounce serving. In short: People with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetic conditions should consume this otherwise healthy juice with care. Other topics being discussed this week in the Healthier Talk community forums include: - Diabetes: Stress diabetes
- Headaches/Migraine: Anti-headache smoothie
- Heart: Arterial Fibrillation
- Allergies: A hot bed of fungal spores
- General Health Topics: Thinning hair
- Vitamin Questions: Vitamin/mineral supplement for my dog
You can easily reach the HSI Healthier Talk community forums on our web site at www.hsibaltimore.com. Just choose "Forum," and join in with any of the dozens of discussions about nutrition and natural health care. | 
