CLAIM:
Drinking one cup of pomegranate juice daily can reduce artery blockages by up to 30 per cent. The post implies that its antioxidant properties can support better blood flow and contribute to preventing heart-related issues.
FACT:
Pomegranate juice contains antioxidants that may help improve heart health by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and cholesterol levels. However, scientific evidence does not support claims that it can significantly reduce or reverse artery blockages. At best, it may play a supportive role alongside proper medical treatment, not act as a cure.
In a viral Instagram post by ‘Tonum Health’, which has over 8 lakh followers, a strong claim is being circulated about the heart health benefits of pomegranate juice. The post presents a simple daily habit as a powerful solution, suggesting that regular consumption can significantly improve arterial health.
The post mentions that “drinking one cup of pomegranate juice per day may reduce artery blockage by up to 30 per cent,” positioning it as an easy and effective way to prevent or reverse cardiovascular issues. It further highlights the role of antioxidants, stating that these nutrients can help improve blood flow and overall heart function.
The caption of the post reads, “Pomegranate juice is packed with powerful antioxidants like polyphenols". It adds that “these compounds help fight oxidative stress and support healthy blood flow,” while also suggesting that “better circulation can contribute to heart health over time.” Emphasising lifestyle changes, the caption notes that “small daily habits can make a big difference for long-term health".
Some users wrote, “love this. simple habits like this really add up over time. Taking care of your health doesn’t have to be complicated,” reflecting how such claims can resonate widely and influence public perception around health remedies.
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What does research say?
Research consistently shows that pomegranate juice may help improve oxidative stress, inflammation, lipid profile, and blood pressure—all of which are important for heart health. However, the evidence does not support claims that it can directly reduce artery blockage to a specific extent or act as a cure for cardiovascular disease.
According to a 2004 study examining patients with carotid artery stenosis (CAS), pomegranate juice showed promising effects on markers linked to atherosclerosis. The researchers noted that “dietary supplementation with polyphenolic antioxidants to animals was shown to be associated with inhibition of LDL oxidation and macrophage foam cell formation, and attenuation of atherosclerosis development.”
In this small study, patients who consumed pomegranate juice for one year showed a reduction in carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) “by up to 30 per cent" along with improvements in oxidative stress and blood pressure. However, the study involved only 10 patients, making it limited in scale and generalisability.
Building on this, a larger and more rigorous 2009 randomised, double-blind trial assessed the effect of pomegranate juice on arterial thickness progression in individuals at moderate risk of coronary heart disease. The findings were more cautious. Researchers reported that “no significant difference in overall CIMT progression rate was observed between pomegranate juice and control treatments.” However, in subgroup analyses, individuals with higher oxidative stress showed some slowing of progression, suggesting that benefits may depend on individual health conditions rather than being universal.
Further insights come from a 2013 article that examines the broader cardiovascular effects of pomegranate. It describes pomegranate as a “heart-healthy fruit juice” and notes that it has been shown to attenuate cardiovascular diseases.
The article also notes that pomegranate juice is often suggested as a “heart-healthy” option and highlights findings from multiple small clinical observations. For instance, in patients with cardiovascular risk factors consuming 240 mL/day for a year, there were trends toward improved arterial elasticity compared to placebo.
It further cites a study on coronary heart disease patients, where after three months of daily consumption, “the extent of stress-induced ischemia decreased in the pomegranate group, but increased in the control group,” without changes in medications or other major health parameters.
The article also revisits findings from carotid artery stenosis patients, noting that while IMT increased in the control group, “PJ consumption resulted in a significant CIMT (carotid intima-media thicknes) reduction, by up to 35 per cent,” with gradual improvements observed over 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. At the same time, it is important to note that these findings come from small sample sizes and observational settings, limiting how widely they can be applied.
Another 2013 experimental study adds to this evidence, but in animal models. It found that “pomegranate extract reduced the size of atherosclerotic plaques” in mice and lowered oxidative stress and inflammation in blood vessels. While promising, such findings cannot be directly applied to humans, as animal studies often do not translate into identical clinical outcomes.
Clinical research in patients also points toward supportive, not curative, effects. A 2017 study involving patients with ischemic heart disease found that pomegranate juice “caused significant reductions in the intensity, occurrence, and duration of angina,” along with improvements in certain biomarkers like troponin and oxidative stress markers. However, these benefits were observed alongside conventional medical treatment, not as a replacement.
More recent evidence from a 2020 crossover trial in haemodialysis patients further supports these findings. The study reported that pomegranate juice consumption led to improvements in cardiovascular risk markers, with “triglycerides decreased,” “HDL cholesterol increased,” and both oxidative stress and inflammation significantly reduced. Blood pressure also showed improvement. Yet again, these results point to risk factor management rather than reversal of existing artery blockages.
What experts say?
Dr (Prof) Tarun Kumar, Associate Director and Head at Medanta Moolchand Heart Centre, explained that pomegranate does contain compounds that can support heart health, but the claims around curing artery blockages need caution. He said that pomegranate has antioxidants - “what we call punicalagins”—which help “prevent oxidation of bad cholesterol (LDL)” and also promote the release of nitric oxide, a vasodilator that improves blood circulation.
At the same time, he pointed out that the evidence around reducing artery blockages is limited. “There is only one study in literature where a few patients with carotid artery stenosis showed nearly 30 per cent reduction in artery thickness after consuming pomegranate juice,” he said. However, he added that “we don’t know whether these patients were taking any additional supplements or medications,” making it difficult to attribute the effect solely to pomegranate juice.
According to him, while natural remedies can help, they are not a substitute for proper medical treatment. “All these natural supplements help, but they usually lead to milder reductions,” he explained, adding that if cholesterol is high, “you need to take proper medical treatment along with any natural approach.”
Speaking about diet, Dr Kumar highlighted the importance of everyday foods in maintaining heart health. He said that fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants are beneficial and noted that “garlic is considered very good for the heart” and may help reduce blockages when consumed regularly. He also mentioned omega-3 fatty acids, stating that “fish oil helps in reducing cholesterol and blockage.” Additionally, he pointed out that turmeric has “antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects” and helps protect blood vessels.
Overall, he emphasised that such dietary measures can support heart health but should be seen as complementary, not curative, when it comes to artery blockages.
This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS