Pomegranate consumption linked to significant improvements in heart function

Research published in the journal Science Advances indicates that pomegranate consumption may significantly improve cardiac function. A study conducted by King’s College London identified that a compound called urolithin A, produced by gut bacteria from compounds found in the fruit, plays a key role in these benefits.

In animal testing involving subjects with heart issues, urolithin A helped the heart relax between beats and reduced scarring in the cardiac muscle. This process helped decrease internal heart pressure, which can otherwise lead to fluid accumulation and organ enlargement. Some indicators of cardiac function improved by up to 80 percent compared to untreated subjects.

In human laboratory tests using stem cell-derived cardiac tissue, the compound allowed the heart muscle to contract and relax more rapidly. Scientists believe this effect is linked to the activation of the PKGIα protein, which regulates blood pressure and aids heart relaxation. Beyond cardiac benefits, pomegranates are noted for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hypertensive properties.