Acute effects of pomegranate extract on postprandial lipaemia, vascular function and blood pressure

Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2012 Dec;67(4):351-7. doi: 10.1007/s11130-012-0318-9.

Abstract

We investigated whether a test drink enriched in pomegranate polyphenols, consumed with a high-fat meal, can reduce postprandial lipaemia and improve vascular function and blood pressure compared to placebo. Nineteen young, healthy men completed a randomized, controlled crossover trial. The active drink (containing a pomegranate extract) was consumed during a high-fat meal (ET-DUR) or 15 min before (ET-PRE), and the placebo drink (no pomegranate extract) was consumed during the high-fat meal (CONTROL). Postprandial lipaemia was assessed by venous plasma TAG 0-2 h, and capillary plasma TAG 0-4 h. Blood pressure and digital volume pulse, to measure reflection index (DVP-RI) and stiffness index (DVP-SI), were monitored at baseline, 2 and 4 h. There was no inhibition of postprandial lipaemia by the active drink compared to CONTROL. ET-PRE caused a greater increase in the venous plasma TAG at 2 h compared to CONTROL and ET-DUR (treatment effect P = 0.001). The incremental area under the curve 0-4 h for capillary plasma TAG was not significantly different between treatments. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) increased in the ET-PRE and ET-DUR groups to a lesser extent than the CONTROL group (treatment effect P = 0.041). There were no treatment effects for DVP-RI, DVP-SI or diastolic blood pressure. In conclusion, the consumption of a single drink containing ET-rich pomegranate extract did not decrease postprandial plasma TAG concentrations, but suppressed the postprandial increase in SBP following the high-fat meal.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects*
  • Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena / drug effects
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Diet, High-Fat / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Hydrolyzable Tannins / pharmacology*
  • Hyperlipidemias / drug therapy*
  • Lythraceae / chemistry*
  • Male
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Polyphenols / pharmacology*
  • Postprandial Period / physiology
  • Pulse
  • Single-Blind Method
  • Triglycerides / blood
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Hydrolyzable Tannins
  • Plant Extracts
  • Polyphenols
  • Triglycerides
  • ellagitannin
  • Cholesterol