Pomegranate Juice - has Antioxidants

Drinking pomegranate juice may help reduce some of the major risk factors for heart disease, according to results of a study in mice and men. Based on the findings, its recommended, drinking half a glass of pomegranate juice a day.

A team of Israeli researchers found that the juice, which is rich in antioxidants, prevented the buildup of plaque in the arteries of mice and inhibited further damaging changes in mice who already had plaque in their arteries.

In a group of healthy males who drank up to 50 milliliters of pomegranate juice daily for 2 weeks, the juice was found to boost the activity of an enzyme that protects against damaging changes to cells. The juice also reduced the oxidation of LDL (''bad'') cholesterol—a step that encourages the cholesterol particle to stick to artery walls and may lead to heart disease.

The oxidation of LDL is promoted by free radicals, cell-damaging particles that are a byproduct of normal metabolism. Antioxidants can mop up free radicals and help prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.

In order to increase our defense system against the oxidative stress which we are exposed to every day, we need to consume potent natural antioxidants.

Pomegranate juice provides a superb defense against the harmful effects of free radicals and, hence, protects against cardiovascular diseases.