Going into the most recent study,
the team was aware of the individual benefits provided by pomegranates
and dates. Pomegranate juice, rich in polyphenolic antioxidants (derived
from plants), has been shown to most significantly reduce oxidative
stress. Dates, which are rich sources of phenolic radical scavenger
antioxidants, also inhibit the oxidation of LDL (the so-called “bad
cholesterol”) and stimulate the removal of cholesterol from lipid-laden
arterial cells. Prof. Aviram had a hunch that since dates and
pomegranate juice are composed of different phenolic antioxidants, the
combination could thus prove more beneficial than the sum of its parts.
In a trial performed on arterial
cells in culture, as well as in atherosclerotic mice, the Technion team
found that the triple combination of pomegranate juice, date fruits and
date pits did indeed provide maximum protection against the development
of atherosclerosis because the combination reduced oxidative stress in
the arterial wall by 33% and decreased arterial cholesterol content by
28%.
The researchers conclude that
people at high risk for cardiovascular diseases, as well as healthy
individuals, could benefit from consuming the combination of half a
glass of pomegranate juice (4 ounces), together with 3 dates. Ideally,
the pits should be ground up into a paste and eaten as well, but even
without the pits, the combination is better than either fruit alone.