Découvertes scientifiquesNos actifs 23/09/2025

Pomegranate, an ally of cardiovascular health? What science says about it

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is widely cited for its multiple health benefits, especially for the cardiovascular system. Known to be rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, it is believed to help protect and improve heart health, arteries, and blood pressure. An overview of what science says about it.  

High antioxidant capacity

Pomegranate is particularly rich in antioxidants, notably polyphenols, punicalagins, and ellagic acid. These antioxidants help protect lipoproteins from oxidation, which is essential to reduce the risks of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases [1,2,3,11].

Effects on blood pressure

Several clinical studies have shown that consuming pomegranate juice can significantly reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure [4,5,6,7]. Among notable examples, the study by Aviram et al. (2004) demonstrated a 12% decrease in systolic pressure in subjects after one year of daily pomegranate juice consumption [4].

Effects on cholesterol

Pomegranate extract can reduce oxidized LDL levels, decrease triglycerides, and increase good cholesterol (HDL) in healthy individuals [4,8,9,11].

Reduction of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis, a condition where arteries harden due to plaque buildup, is a common cause of heart disease. Pomegranate prevents plaque formation notably by reducing inflammation of blood vessels [3,4,11] and contributing to endothelial function – endothelium being the layer of cells lining the blood vessels [5,7,10].

The study by Aviram et al. (2004) is particularly interesting regarding the effect of pomegranate, as it supports that pomegranate could not only slow down but also reverse the progression of atherosclerosis. Indeed, the results highlight that daily consumption of pomegranate juice in patients with carotid artery atherosclerosis reduced atherosclerotic plaques by 35% over one year, compared to a 9% worsening in the control group [4].  

Conclusion 

These studies suggest that pomegranate may play an important role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, acting on various mechanisms such as improving blood pressure, endothelial function, lipid profile, as well as reducing inflammation and protecting against oxidative stress.

Incorporating this food into your diet, in the form of fruit, juice, or dietary supplements, can therefore be a simple but effective way to improve cardiovascular health.

 

 

Sources

[1] Al-Dujaili, E.A.S.; Casey, C.; Stockton, A. (2022) Antioxidant Properties and Beneficial Cardiovascular Effects of a Natural Extract of Pomegranate in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized Preliminary Single-Blind Controlled Study. Antioxidants, 11, 2124. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/11/11/2124 

[2] Basu A., Penugonda K. (2009) Pomegranate juice: a heart-healthy fruit juice, Nutrition Reviews, 67(1), 49–56. https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/67/1/49/1840959 

[3] Basu, A., & Penugonda, K. (2009). Pomegranate juice: a heart-healthy fruit juice. Nutrition reviews, 67(1), 49-56. https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/67/1/49/1840959

[4] Aviram, M. et al. (2004). Pomegranate juice consumption for 3 years by patients with carotid artery stenosis reduces common carotid intima-media thickness, blood pressure and LDL oxidation. Clinical nutrition, 23(3), 423-433. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0261561403002139

[5] Asgary, S., Keshvari, M., Sahebkar, A., Hashemi, M., & Rafieian-Kopaei, M. (2013). Clinical investigation of the acute effects of pomegranate juice on blood pressure and endothelial function in hypertensive individuals. ARYA atherosclerosis, 9(6), 326. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3933059/ 

[6] Sahebkar, A., Ferri, C., Giorgini, P., Bo, S., Nachtigal, P., & Grassi, D. (2017). Effects of pomegranate juice on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Pharmacological Research, 115, 149-161. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1043661816307848 

[7] Asgary, S., Sahebkar, A., Afshani, M. R., Keshvari, M., Haghjooyjavanmard, S., & Rafieian‐Kopaei, M. (2014). Clinical evaluation of blood pressure lowering, endothelial function improving, hypolipidemic and anti‐inflammatory effects of pomegranate juice in hypertensive subjects. Phytotherapy Research, 28(2), 193-199.  

[8] Bahari, H., Rezaiian, F., Goudarzi, K., Mirmohammadali, S. N., Asbaghi, O., Naderian, M., & Hosseini, A. (2023). The effects of pomegranate consumption on lipid profile in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Functional Foods, 108, 105727. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464623003274 

[9] Kandylis, P., & Kokkinomagoulos, E. (2020). Food applications and potential health benefits of pomegranate and its derivatives. Foods, 9(2), 122.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7074153/

[10] de Nigris, F., et al. (2005). Beneficial effects of pomegranate juice on oxidation-sensitive genes and endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity at sites of perturbed shear stress. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 53(22), 8798-8805. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC555721/#:~:text=Perturbed%20shear%20stress%20increases%20the,of%20oxidative%20stress%20and%20atherogenesis.

[11] Aviram, M., & Rosenblat, M. (2012). Pomegranate protection against cardiovascular diseases. Evidence‐Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012(1), 382763. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/2012/382763