A brand new research means that common PE supplementation may help wholesome getting older by reducing systolic blood strain and key inflammatory markers in adults over 55.
Examine: Results of Pomegranate Extract on Inflammatory Markers and Cardiometabolic Danger Components in Adults Aged 55–70 Years: A Randomised Managed Parallel Trial. Picture Credit score: Mixa74/Shutterstock.com
Power low-grade irritation usually will increase with age—a phenomenon referred to as inflammaging. This course of is linked to the next danger of situations equivalent to diabetes mellitus, heart problems, and neurodegenerative issues in older adults.
A current research revealed in Vitamins explored whether or not pomegranate extract (PE) may assist mitigate a few of these age-related dangers in adults over 55.
Introduction
Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a broadly loved fruit recognized for its wealthy polyphenol content material, significantly punicalagin, a potent ellagitannin. Thanks to those compounds, pomegranate boasts spectacular antioxidant exercise—outperforming many different polyphenol-rich meals, together with inexperienced tea.
Along with its dietary profile, pomegranate is a sustainable crop. It thrives in drought-prone areas, adapts to diverse soil sorts, and requires comparatively low water and vitality inputs.
Whereas PE has already been proven to supply anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and metabolic advantages within the basic inhabitants, this research centered particularly on adults aged 55 to 70 who had been both of regular weight or chubby.
In regards to the research
The research concerned 86 individuals, most of whom had been White British girls with a mean physique mass index (BMI) of 24.
Their common systolic blood strain (SBP) was 128 mm Hg—elevated, although not inside the hypertensive vary. In truth, 80% had SBP ranges between 120 and 129 mm Hg.
Key findings
On the outset, individuals confirmed a variety of inflammatory markers. Roughly one-third had interleukin-6 (IL-6) ranges inside the decrease finish of the conventional vary, whereas simply over half had tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inside regular limits. Nearly all individuals had regular C-reactive protein (CRP) ranges.
Nonetheless, cardiometabolic danger components had been extra frequent. Almost 90% had complete levels of cholesterol above 5 mmol/L, and 80% had elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels of cholesterol (>3 mmol/L).
Elevated triglycerides (TG > 1.7 mmol/L) had been seen in 11% of individuals, whereas low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ranges had been present in solely 4%. Fasting blood sugar ranges had been inside the regular vary for simply over half of the group.
Over the course of the research, those that consumed PE skilled reductions in some inflammatory markers that weren’t noticed within the placebo group. IL-6 ranges dropped by a mean of 5.47 pg/mL, and IL1-β additionally decreased considerably. CRP and TNF-α confirmed a downward pattern, though not statistically important.
Markers equivalent to IL1-α and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) remained unchanged.
PE consumption was additionally linked to a discount in SBP, significantly amongst individuals with initially elevated readings. On common, SBP dropped by 5.2 mm Hg. Diastolic blood strain (DBP) decreased by round 3 mm Hg, although this modification wasn’t statistically important.
Different metabolic indicators, together with BMI, didn’t change considerably with PE use. This could be as a result of comparatively small proportion of chubby individuals, limiting the flexibility to detect variations primarily based on weight.
Notably, PE consumption didn’t have an effect on dietary habits, bodily exercise, or macronutrient consumption. The complement was nicely tolerated, with excessive compliance reported.
From a medical perspective, the drop in SBP is significant. A 5% discount in SBP is mostly related to a ten% lower within the danger of main cardiovascular occasions.
The proposed mechanism for this blood strain profit includes improved vasodilation. That is probably pushed by ellagitannin-related reductions in oxidative stress and enhanced exercise of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS).
Regardless of these promising findings, PE didn’t considerably enhance different cardiometabolic markers on this research. The pattern, predominantly composed of girls with regular weight, could introduce choice bias and restrict generalizability.
Conclusion
This research highlights the usually neglected cardiometabolic and inflammatory dangers that may exist even amongst seemingly wholesome older adults. Many individuals had elevated SBP and inflammatory markers at baseline.
The outcomes counsel that common consumption of pomegranate extract could assist decrease SBP and sure inflammatory markers on this age group. Because the authors be aware, “The consumption of pomegranate extract could supply a beneficial, non-pharmacological technique to advertise wholesome ageing.”
Nonetheless, additional analysis is required. Bigger, extra various research with longer follow-up durations might be important to find out the long-term well being impression of PE supplementation in older adults.
Journal reference:
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Farhat, G., Malla, J., Vadher, J., et al. (2025). Results of Pomegranate Extract on Inflammatory Markers and Cardiometabolic Danger Components in Adults Aged 55–70 Years: A Randomised Managed Parallel Trial. Vitamins. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17071235.
