ACE - ACE stands for angiotensin-converting enzyme. By splitting proteins, these enzymes convert angiotensin I into angiotensin II, a substance that increases salt and water in the body and leads to high blood pressure, a real no-no. ACE inhibitors make blood vessels relax, helping to lower blood pressure and allowing more oxygen-rich blood to reach the heart. Research shows POM Wonderful reduced ACE by 36% in ten elderly patients with high blood pressure after drinking an 8 oz. glass a day for only 2 weeks and also lowered their systolic blood pressure by 5%. 11

Anthocyanins - Naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds give many fruits, vegetables and plants their bright colors. Originally derived from two Greek words meaning plant and blue, anthocyanins are what make eggplants purple and pomegranates red. Many of the antioxidant characteristics in plants are due largely to anthocyanins. In fact, the darker, more deeply red and blue fruits usually have higher values of antioxidants; the rich, red pomegranate is absolutely loaded. 1

Atherosclerosis - Often called hardening of the arteries, atherosclerosis starts when oxidized cholesterol and other substances build up in the inner lining of an artery. The build-up is called plaque. Damage occurs when the plaque reduces the blood’s flow or when the plaque ruptures and causes blood clots. When a blood vessel that feeds the heart is blocked, it can cause a heart attack. If it blocks a vessel feeding the brain, it can cause a stroke. Naturally, the less plaque, the better. And that’s where POM Wonderful comes in. A pilot study of 19 elderly patients with atherosclerosis showed that an 8 oz. glass a day can reduce plaque build-up in the arteries by up to 30%. 12

Antioxidants - Antioxidants are scavengers that may neutralize free radicals before they get a chance to harm you body. They get their name from their ability to inhibit oxidation. There are lots of different substances we call antioxidants, including many vitamins and minerals. Of course, not all antioxidants are created equal, and some of the most powerful, polyphenol antioxidants are found in great abundance in POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice. Which is why we call POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice, “The Antioxidant Superpower™”. 1

Carotid IMT - A stroke occurs when an adequate flow of blood to the brain is disrupted. The most common cause of this disruption is a narrowing or blockage of the carotid artery caused by the accumulation of plaque in the artery walls. 8 The carotid arteries are the main blood supply to the brain. The intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid arteries is a common way to measure how much plaque is lining the artery walls. The less, of course, the better.

Ellagic Acid - A naturally occurring phenolic compound phytochemical found in many fruits and vegetables, with levels much higher in berries and pomegranates than in apples, pears or walnuts.

Free Radicals - Free radicals are atoms or molecules in your body with an unpaired electron·making them highly unstable. Because electrons normally come in pairs, the free radicals collide with other molecules in an attempt to steal an electron, and may start a chain reaction, damaging your DNA and cells. Emerging science suggests this free radical damage may be linked to disease. 2 Free radical scavengers, or antioxidants, bind with the free radicals before they can do their damage. This brings us back to POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice. The polyphenol antioxidants in POM Wonderful have been shown through emerging science to function as potent free radical scavengers. 6

HDL/LDL - High-density lipoprotein, or HDL cholesterol, is called “good” cholesterol because scientists believe it removes cholesterol from the blood, thereby reducing your risk of heart disease. You want your HDL count to be “high” and your LDL count to be “low.” Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL cholesterol, carries the majority of cholesterol through the blood stream. In order for cholesterol to travel through your blood (cholesterol can’t dissolve in water or blood), it’s coated with a layer of protein to make lipoprotein. Larger, less dense and less stable than HDL cholesterol, LDL can oxidize if attacked by free radicals and build-up on the walls of your arteries. This plaque can narrow the arteries, reduce blood flow or rupture, leading to heart disease or stroke. Which is why LDL cholesterol is known as the “bad” cholesterol. 8

Hypertension - Also called high blood pressure, it’s a major cause of damage to the arteries, heart and kidneys and can lead to atherosclerosis and stroke. 8 When your blood vessels are narrow and filled with plaque, it’s harder for blood to flow through them and pressure against your artery wall increases. This can cause high blood pressure.

Nitric Oxide - Produced by several different kinds of cells and present in all humans and most animals, nitric oxide functions as a signaling molecule that tells the body to make blood vessels relax and widen. Nitric oxide controls our blood pressure, giving us more blood when we’re exercising and reducing the flow of blood when we’re at rest. Since heart attacks happen when the blood can’t flow through the blood vessels to the heart, we of course want to encourage lots of nitric oxide in our body…it can help by relaxing the blood vessels, allowing them to open and increasing blood flow. 10

Oxidation - When those unstable free radicals “borrow” an electron from a normal cell in your body, the process is called oxidation. It’s the same process as when metal rusts…or a cut up apple turns brown. Yuck. Free radicals cause oxidation inside your body which is why you want plenty of antioxidants…or compounds that inhibit chemical reactions with oxygen. You know, like POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice. 3

Phytochemicals - Phytochemicals is simply a word that means “plant chemicals.” Once, researchers attributed the health promoting affects of plants to their numerous vitamins, minerals and fibers. More recently, however, researchers have discovered that the many other chemical compounds in plants also provide benefits to humans when consumed. Phytochemicals provide plants with protection from the environmental challenges they face, such as ultraviolet light. When we consume plants rich in phytochemicals, they seem to protect us as well. Some researchers estimate that up to 40,000 different phytochemicals will someday be fully catalogued and understood. Polyphenols are a class of phytochemicals that are particularly rich in antioxidants and plentiful in POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice. 1

Plaque - Atherosclerosis occurs when fat, cholesterol and other substances accumulate in the walls of the arteries and form plaque. Eventually, plaque can erode the walls of the artery, diminish its elasticity and interfere with blood flow. Plaques can also rupture, causing debris to head downstream within the artery. What we’re talking about is a common cause for heart attack and stroke. Naturally, the less plaque, the better. And that’s where POM Wonderful comes in. A pilot study of 19 elderly patients with atherosclerosis showed that an 8 oz. glass a day can reduce plaque build-up in the arteries by up to 30%. 12

Polyphenols - Polyphenols are a class of phytochemicals found in plants and there may be at least 10,000 unique polyphenols in the world! Polyphenols literally means “many phenols”. A phenol is a kind of molecule, a carbon-based chemical structure, and many of them bound together form a polyphenol. Among the most potent of the antioxidants, polyphenols, like tannins, particularly punicalagin and anthocyanins, are really plentiful in pomegranate juice, which is why POM Wonderful is so good for you. 1

Punicalagin - A hydrolyzable tannin, punicalagin is found almost exclusively in pomegranates. This highly unique and potent polyphenol antioxidant breaks down to ellagic acid.

Systolic/Diastolic Blood Pressure - The systolic measurement is the first, or top number in a blood pressure reading. It’s the pressure of blood against your artery walls when the heart has just finished pumping or contracting. The diastolic measurement is the second, or bottom number in a blood pressure reading. It’s the pressure of blood against your artery walls when your heart is relaxed and filling with blood. When the numbers are at 140/90 or higher, you have high blood pressure. That means that your heart and arteries work harder and you’re in more danger of suffering from a stroke or heart attack. 8

Tannins - Tannins are plant polyphenols that add color and a slightly tart taste to pomegranates and many other vegetables and plants. The word tannin comes from the Celtic word for Oak and refers to the source of tannins used to convert animal skins into leather. In folk medicine, tannins were used to treat burns and as an astringent. While there are tannins in some teas and in red wine, tannins are truly abundant in POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice, which account for the juice’s incredible antioxidant properties. 1