A study cited by Ryan Fernando, showed that participants who consumed pomegranate extract or juice blended with seeds daily for a year had up to a 35 percent reduction in carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). Any rise in the thickness of this artery is generally associated with atherosclerosis, plaque buildup, and cardiovascular risk like heart attack or stroke. The diminution of CIMT as seen reflects reversal or retardation of the arterial plaque formation.The most significant part of the research was the employment of the seeds. Pomegranate seeds are richly polyphenol, containing punicalagins and ellagic acid, both of which have been studied intensively for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. As the plaque accumulates, the intima-media layer of the walls of the arteries thickens and may be measured with ultrasound-based CIMT scans.