Can Pomegranates Lower Blood Pressure?

The juicy, plump, and red fruit known as the pomegranate is brimming with nutrients. While the outside is round and red, the inside has white flesh with translucent small juicy sacs, known as arils (per Food Source Information). These pomegranate seeds are where the nutritional value stems from, creating a fruit loaded with fiber and minerals, but low in fat and calories (via Healthline). One serving of pomegranate (about 282 grams) contains magnesium, vitamin C, potassium, folate, phosphorus, iron, and calcium (per Healthline). It's no wonder that pomegranates are commonly called a superfood. In fact, some research suggests this superfood can lower blood pressure and support heart health (via WebMD) but does it actually work?

According to preliminary research, pomegranates have a high antioxidant volume and contain chemicals that potentially delay arteries from hardening (via WebMD). Known as atherosclerosis, reports have indicated that drinking polyphenol-rich pomegranate juice prevents this by lowering blood pressure (via WebMD). One 2017 review published in Pharmacological Research found that after participants drank the juice, they drastically lowered diastolic and systolic blood pressure. A study published in Clinical Nutrition explains this decrease is likely due to the fruit juice's ability to lower various amounts of an angiotensin-converting enzyme, which is responsible for regulating blood vessels and pressure.