Cholesterol-lowering Effect of Concentrated Pomegranate Juice Consumption in Type II Diabetic Patients with Hyperlipidemia

This study was undertaken to assess the effect of concentrated pomegranate juice consumption on lipid profiles of type II diabetic patients with hyperlipidemia (total cholesterol or triglycerides > or = 200 mg/dL). In this pilot study 22 diabetic patients were recruited from the Iranian Diabetes Society. They were free of any other chronic diseases. The patients were followed for eight weeks to obtain more detailed data about their diet before concentrated pomegranate juice (CPJ) consumption period began. In this pre-study period a 24-hour food recall and a food record (containing flavonoid-rich foodstuffs) were completed every ten days. At the end of the eighth week, anthropometric and biochemical assessments were done. Thereafter the patients consumed 40 g CPJ for eight weeks. During this period, dietary assessment was continued. After completion of the study anthropometric and blood indices were evaluated again. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for statistical analysis. P-value was considered significant at p < 0.05. There were 14 women (63.6%) and 8 men (36.4%) in this survey. Mean (+/- SD) of age, weight, and duration of diabetes were 52.5 (+/- 5.2) years, 71.5 (+/- 10.3) kg, and 7.9 (+/- 6.6) years, respectively. After consumption of concentrated pomegranate juice significant reductions were seen in total cholesterol (p < 0.006), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) (p < 0.006), LDL-c/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) (p < 0.001), and total cholesterol/HDL-c (p < 0.001). However there were no significant changes in serum triacylglycerol and HDL-c concentrations. Anthropometric indices, physical activity level, types and doses of oral hypoglycemic agents, and the intake of nutrients and flavonoid-rich foodstuffs did not change during the CPJ consumption period. It is concluded that CPJ consumption could modify heart disease risk factors in these hyperlipidemic patients. Therefore, its inclusion in their diets may be beneficial.