A new study says that the antioxidants in pomegranate can protect patients against dialysis-related infections and cardiovascular complications.

According to the study people who took pomegranate juice after dialysis suffered less oxidative stress, infections and inflammation. Pomegranate juice even reduced heart related complications like stroke, high blood pressure etc. The study was presented at the American Society of Nephrology's 43rd Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition.

This opens up greater avenues in kidney disease treatment, especially for hemodialysis patients. The potassium content in the juice reduces many of the dialysis related complications, thus improving the survival chance of kidney patient. But, the patient should take medical advice before taking them because higher amount of potassium can have adverse effect on chronic kidney patients with dietary potassium restriction.

“Considering the expected epidemic of CKD in the next decade, further clinical trials using pomegranate juice aimed at reducing the high cardiovascular morbidity of CKD patients and their deterioration to end-stage renal disease should be conducted," said Dr. Batya Kristal, MD, FASN.

The researchers have observed 101 dialysis patients for one year. They were given pomegranate juice or other palliative drinks three times a week at the start of each dialysis session. The patients on pomegranate juice have shown reduced morbidity rate.

Pomegranate has said to have a wide range of health benefits. Many doctors consider it beneficial in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol and have been recommended for hypertension patients and diabetics. It is for the first time the juice has been tested in kidney patients.