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Does Pomegranate intake attenuate cardiovascular risk factors in hemodialysis patients?

Lilach Shema-Didi, Batya Kristal, Shifra Sela

  • 1School of Public Health, Faculty of Social Welfare & Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. liora.ore@gmail.com.

Nutrition Journal
|March 6, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Pomegranate juice (PJ) consumption significantly improved blood pressure and lipid profiles in hemodialysis patients. These findings suggest PJ may help reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in this high-risk population.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death in hemodialysis (HD) patients.
  • Hypertension and dyslipidemia are significant contributors to CVD risk in this population.
  • The study investigated the impact of Pomegranate juice (PJ) on cardiovascular risk factors in HD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of one-year Pomegranate juice (PJ) consumption on hypertension and lipid profiles in hemodialysis (HD) patients.
  • To assess the impact of PJ on traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
  • To determine the incidence of cardiovascular events in HD patients consuming PJ.

Main Methods:

  • 101 HD patients were randomized to receive PJ or a placebo three times weekly for one year.
  • Primary endpoints included blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, pulse) and lipid profile (triglycerides, HDL, LDL, total cholesterol).
  • Cardiovascular events served as a secondary endpoint.

Main Results:

  • PJ consumption led to significant improvements in systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, triglycerides, and HDL levels.
  • These beneficial effects were more pronounced in hypertensive patients with high triglycerides and low HDL.
  • No similar improvements were observed in the placebo group.

Conclusions:

  • Regular Pomegranate juice (PJ) intake can reduce systolic blood pressure and improve lipid profiles in hemodialysis (HD) patients.
  • These positive changes may mitigate accelerated atherosclerosis and lower the incidence of CVD in HD patients.
  • PJ shows potential as a dietary intervention for managing cardiovascular risk in HD patients.
Abstract

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