How Pomegranate Juice Increases Nitric Oxide Levels

Some types of cardiovascular disease affect about 79 million Americans, according to the American Heart Association. These disorders include coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure and heart attack. Nitric oxide is a signaling molecule that helps keep your cardiovascular system in good condition and lowers your risk for these problems. Pomegranate is a natural remedy with many health benefits that include raising production of nitric oxide by cells in your arteries. Talk to your doctor about pomegranate to decide if it might be helpful for you.

Pomegranate

The pomegranate tree, Punica granatum, produces a fruit filled with many seeds surrounded by a reddish pulp. When squeezed, the pulp produces a red juice rich in natural compounds with biological activity. These include vitamin C and polyphenols, both powerful antioxidants that help remove free radicals from your body and protect your cells from damage to cellular membranes, DNA and other components. Its antioxidant quality also helps pomegranate increase the level of nitric oxide in your arteries, further lowering your risk for serious disease.

Nitric Oxide

Cells called endothelial cells line the blood vessels. Outside of this lining, arterial walls contain muscle that contracts and relaxes, changing the size of the artery and regulating the amount of blood flowing through the vessel. Endothelial cells use an enzyme called nitric oxide synthase to produce nitric oxide, a gas that acts as a signal instructing muscle cells in the artery wall to relax and dilate the artery, keeping blood pressure low and allowing needed blood to reach the heart and other organs. Nitric oxide also tends to inhibit platelets from sticking to each other, reducing the likelihood they will form blood clots.

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Researchers have studied the properties of pomegranate to determine how it enhances nitric oxide production. In a paper published in "Nitric Oxide" in 2006, researchers found that pomegranate juice enhanced nitric oxide synthase activity in cultured arterial lining cells. In another study in "Nitric Oxide" in the same year, pomegranate juice was also found to protect nitric oxide from destruction and, as a result, increased and prolonged its activity. In a study with laboratory animals that have a genetic predisposition for atherosclerosis, published in 2005 in the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences," animals fed a high-fat diet and then given pomegranate juice for 24 weeks had increased activity of nitric oxide synthase and reduction in atherosclerosis compared to a placebo group. While encouraging, these results still need confirmation in clinical trials with human subjects.

Recommendations

Pomegranate juice is available from health food or specialty stores, and pomegranate extract is available in capsules from pharmacies or health food stores. Both the juice and extract are considered very safe when daily consumption is about 8 to 12 oz. However, pomegranate may worsen diarrhea and interact with some medications. If you are pregnant, consume only pomegranate juice and avoid the extract. Discuss pomegranate with your doctor before adding it to your routine.