Pomegranate Gut Metabolite Urolithin A Boosts Heart Function in King’s College London Study
Gut bacteria metabolize compounds from pomegranates, walnuts, and some berries to produce urolithin A, which researchers at King’s College London found can improve measures of heart function by up to 80 percent in animal models. Published in Science Advances with financial support from the British Heart Foundation, the study investigated heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a condition where the heart muscle is too stiff to relax and refill properly between beats. This form of heart failure can lead to fatigue, breathlessness and a reduced ability to exercise.
Activation of Protein PKGIα Relieves Stiff Heart Tissue
Senior study author Joseph Burgoyne and his research team discovered that urolithin A activates a specific protein known as PKGIα, which lowers blood pressure and helps the heart relax after a contraction. The researchers found that PKGIα also plays an important role in blood vessel function. The compound modifies cysteine 42, a specific amino acid on the protein. In mouse models with stiff and failing hearts, this pathway activation reduced cardiac scarring, limited the enlargement of heart muscle cells, and improved measures of heart function. Burgoyne added that the treatment improved exercise capacity and reduced fibrosis, which is excessive scar tissue that can make the heart muscle rigid.
Lab Tests on Engineered Human Heart Tissue
To determine if animal findings extend to humans, the researchers tested urolithin A on engineered human heart tissue created from stem cells. This laboratory model closely mimics the structure and function of human heart muscle. The laboratory-grown tissue showed improved relaxation when exposed to the metabolite. Unlike many experimental treatments, urolithin A has already been studied in humans and has shown a favorable safety profile that could accelerate future clinical research. Scientists have also studied the compound for its associations with mitochondrial function, which generates energy, and healthy aging.
Unmet Clinical Needs in HFpEF Treatment
HFpEF is found in about half of heart failure cases and is becoming increasingly common alongside rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and aging populations. High blood pressure and other metabolic factors also contribute to the loss of heart flexibility. Conventional heart failure treatments focus on pumping strength rather than relaxation, leaving clinicians with very limited options beyond managing underlying conditions and lifestyle changes. According to the release, clinicians often recommend better sugar control and weight loss. Because the heart in HFpEF patients continues to contract effectively, many established therapies do not address the underlying problem directly. A randomized controlled trial involving a large and diverse human cohort is necessary before urolithin A can be validated as an effective treatment for patients.
Frequently Asked Questions About Urolithin A and Heart Health
Can eating pomegranates cure heart failure?
No source claims that eating pomegranates or other foods can treat or cure heart disease. Joseph Burgoyne stated that while the findings point toward dietary approaches or new treatments, eating pomegranates does not provide a defined dose of urolithin A. He clarified that the compound is not found in pomegranates in significant amounts.
What foods produce urolithin A in the body?
Gut bacteria manufacture urolithin A after individuals consume foods containing ellagitannins, which include pomegranates, walnuts, and certain berries.
Why is HFpEF difficult to treat?
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction occurs when the heart squeezes normally but remains too stiff to relax during the refilling stage, causing breathlessness and fatigue while failing to respond to conventional treatments focused on pumping strength. The disease is complex and varies considerably between patients.
Related reading