Effect of Pomegranate on Blood Pressure: A Meta-Analysis Study

Pomegranate, a fruit peculiar to The Middle East, has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. According to in vivo and in vitro studies; pomegranate and its juice have effects such as increased insulin sensitivity, α-glucosidase inhibition, reducing cholesterol, and therapeutic hypoglycemic effect. In the light of this information, this study was conducted to determine the effect of pomegranate on blood pressure reduction. Randomized controlled clinical trials were reviewed on Pubmed, ISI Web of Sciences and Google Scholar databases. 8 randomised controlled trials were included in meta-analysis. Results of blood pressure obtained at the end of pomegranate studies were evaluated. When the standardised mean difference value of pomegranate and placebo groups was calculated to evaluate the effect of pomegranate on reducing the diastolic blood pressure, this value was found to be -0.255 (95% CI: 56.31-87.96). When the standardised mean difference value of pomegranate and placebo groups was calculated to evaluate the effect of pomegranate on reducing the systolic blood pressure, this value was found to be -0,160 (95% CI: 16,10-80,65). As a result of this meta-analysis, it was observed that pomegranate could reduce diastolic and systolic blood pressure.