Consumption of pomegranate juice decreases blood lipid peroxidation and levels of arachidonic acid in women with metabolic syndrome

Milica I Kojadinovic, Aleksandra C Arsic, Jasmina D Debeljak‐Martacic, Aleksandra I Konic‐Ristic, Nevena Dj Kardum, Tamara B Popovic, Marija D Glibetic

Pomegranate juice is rich source of polyphenols and thus promising dietary antioxidant with numerous health-promoting effects. This includes beneficial impact on cardiovascular health that could be partly attributed to the polyphenols' effects on lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate whether 6-week long pomegranate juice consumption could modify lipid peroxidation and phospholipid fatty acid composition of plasma and erythrocytes in subjects with metabolic syndrome. Twenty three women, aged 40-60, were enrolled and randomly assigned into two groups: intervention group- consuming 300 ml of juice per day for 6 weeks- and the control one. Statistically significant decrease in relative amount of arachidonic acid (p < 0.05) and increase in relative amount of saturated fatty acids (p < 0.05) were observed in intervention group at the end of consumption period. In addition, pomegranate juice significantly increased relative amount of total monounsaturated fatty acids (p < 0.05), and significantly decreased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels in erythrocytes (p < 0.05).The status of blood lipids and blood pressure' values were not changed during the study. The obtained results indicate positive impact of pomegranate juice consumption on lipid peroxidation and fatty acid status in metabolic syndrome subjects and suggest potential anti-inflammatory and cardio-protective effects.