The “intima media” is the middle portion of the arteries that becomes inflamed, and fills up with plaque comprised of oxidized fats, and immune cells and their debris, in the condition known colloquially as “blocked arteries”.

Published in Clinical Nutrition in 2014, and titled “Pomegranate juice consumption for 3 years by patients with carotid artery stenosis reduces common carotid intima-media thickness, blood pressure and LDL oxidation”, Israeli researchers discovered that pomegranate, administered in juice form over the course of a year, reversed plaque accumulation in the carotid arteries in patients with severe, though symptomless, carotid artery disease (defined as 70-90% blockage in the internal carotid arteries).

The results were reported as follows:

“The mean intima media thickness of the left and right common carotid arteries in severe carotid artery stenosis patients that consumed pomegranate juice for up to 1 year, was reduced after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of pomegranate juice consumption by 13%, 22%, 25% and 35% respectively, in comparison to baseline values”.

If we had a drug that was proven to do this, medical marketing would have a field day.
Logically, this research is worth chatting about to patients with cardiovascular risks – but only if we are interested in some nutritional activity.

Let your local stockist of Australian made pomegranate juice know, and build a great relationship.

Alternatively, maybe we should install a juice bar.