Pomegranate juice contains antioxidants that have many anti-atherosclerotic properties. In other words pomegranate juice would be helpful in people with heart disease, including diabetics with heart disease (since diabetics have increased risk of coronary heart disease).

There is quite a lot of research on the scientific databases (pubmed). Here is a highlight of a few specific ones, showing the effects of pomegranate juice for diabetes and heart disease. 

Studies on Diabetics with Cardiovascular Disease [1]

This 2005 trial compared 6 oz (240 ml) of pomegranate juice per day for 3 months, compared to placebo (a similar tasting and coloured beverage, but no active ingredients).

It was found the patients given pomegranate juice had improved myocardial perfusion via SPECT test -  in other words the blood vessels were able to deliver oxygenated blood to the heart more efficiently (which is a good thing) [1]. This was found to be the case at rest and during exercise [1].

In a 2006 study, patients with diabetes taking pomegranate juice experienced improved glutathione, LDL and HDL profiles [4]

These authors all concluded that daily consumption of pomegranate juice may improve stress-induced myocardial infarction in diabetic patients who have coronary heart disease.

Healthy Human Males and Atherosclerotic Mice [2]

This 2005 study looked at various makers of atherosclerosis, such as lipid peroxidation and cholesterol profiles.

In healthy humans pomegranate juice decreased LDL susceptibility to aggregation and retention. It also increased an HDL associated esterase that can protect against lipid peroxidation by 20%. In other words – even in healthy individuals, pomegranate juice seemed to help with minimizing some of the risk factors associated with atherosclerosis. In patients with carotid artery thickening  [3].

In mice with atherosclerosis, it was found oxidized LDL decreased by 90% and reduced systolic blood pressure by 21%. This is significant because this lead to other human research which had equally beneficial effects and findings.

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