The Effects of Consumption of Pomegranate Juice on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness

Previous studies in atherosclerotic mice have shown that pomegranate supplementation reduced their macrophage oxidative stress and attenuated the development of their atherosclerosis. Further research in hypertensive humans demonstrated that pomegranate juice had an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory effect and significantly decreased systolic blood pressure. This study will use a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design with eight clinic visits (one screening visit \[week -4 to -1\], one baseline visit \[week 0\], and six treatment visits \[weeks 13, 26, 38, 52, 65, and 78\]).