Up to 80%: The substance in the popular fruit that succeeded in improving heart function

A new study from King's College London reveals that urolithin A, a natural compound produced in the body from the breakdown of pomegranates, improved heart function by up to 80% in tested models. The substance activates a protein that improves heart muscle flexibility and reduced scarring. However, the experiments were conducted on mice and lab tissues, and the path to clinical application in humans is still long.

A new study from King's College London, published in the journal Science Advances, examined the effect of urolithin A – a natural compound produced in the human body by gut bacteria following the breakdown of pomegranates – on heart function. The study focused on a common type of heart failure in which the heart muscle becomes stiff and does not relax properly between beats, a condition prevalent among older adults, diabetics, and people with obesity. In experiments on mice and human heart tissues in the lab, researchers found that urolithin A reduced scarring in the heart muscle, helped it relax more easily, and improved its overall function by up to 80% compared to untreated hearts. The compound activates a natural protein responsible for lowering blood pressure and relaxing the heart muscle. However, the researchers emphasize that the experiments were conducted only on animals and tissues, and clinical trials in humans are needed. They clarify that eating pomegranates alone does not cure heart disease and recommend a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables as the safe way to maintain heart health.