What Do Your Arteries Look Like? Unclog Your Arteries and Eliminate Bad Cholesterol With This Fruit!
Cholesterol is produced in your body and in some of the foods that you eat. In balanced quantities, it helps the body. Out of balance (high cholesterol), it causes problems. The best defense against high cholesterol is a lifestyle that includes adequate amounts of physical exercise, and eating a healthy diet. A healthy diet contains high-fiber foods, foods containing omega-3 fatty acids, and more fruits and vegetables; particularly foods with an abundance of antioxidants that can specifically combat bad cholesterol. There are reports that the pomegranate is one of those foods.
The pomegranate has been used medicinally since 1600 BC. It is an antioxidant and reportedly has about three times more antioxidants than green tea. A glass of freshly squeezed, unsweetened pomegranate juice can provide up to 40% of the daily requirement of vitamins A, C, E, and folic acid.
Antioxidants prevent deterioration by oxygen. For example, it is oxidation that causes apples to turn brown when cut open. Not all oxidation is harmful because it is essential for the body to metabolize food for energy. Too much oxidation is when problems begin.
As mentioned, pomegranates contain vitamin E. Vitamin E protects artery walls. It also prevents bad cholesterol (LDL) from oxidizing; this is important because oxidation of LDL is a major component of atherosclerosis (fat and calcium buildup (plaque) inside an artery). Studies of vitamin E showed that patients with atherosclerosis had much less plaque build-up in their cells than the control group who were not taking vitamin E.
Pomegranate juice is reputed to not only reduce the amount of (LDL) bad cholesterol and increase the amount of (HDL) good cholesterol it also lowers high blood pressure. It is considered “natural aspirin” because it reduces inflammation of blood vessels, and it thins the blood and keeps it from clotting. Pomegranate seed oil is thought to improve triglycerides and good cholesterol levels.
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Because pomegranate lowers blood pressure, if you are on high blood pressure medication, it is important to talk about using pomegranate fruit, juice, or oil with your physician. Also, talk with your doctor if you are taking any medications, particularly drugs to lower your cholesterol. Statins are a group of drugs most commonly prescribed to control high cholesterol however there are other types, such as cholesterol absorption inhibitors.
Pomegranates also contain Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), also known as folate, which helps break down the amino acid, homocysteine. High levels of homocysteine are believed to be conducive to plaque formation, and this links to atherosclerosis and cardiac problems.
Extracts from the pomegranate flowers have also been studied and discovered to have potent antioxidant activity.
Pomegranates are a sweet and juicy natural substance that can help unclog your arteries and control bad cholesterol. If this is a fruit you have never eaten, would you consider eating it now?
