Pomegranate Compound Urolithin A Shows 80% Improvement in Heart Function
Researchers at King's College London discovered that urolithin A from pomegranates improves heart muscle elasticity by up to 80%, offering hope for a stubborn type of heart failure.
Researchers at King's College London have discovered that a natural compound called urolithin A, produced in the human body by gut bacteria following the breakdown of fruits such as pomegranates, can activate a vital protein that dramatically improves heart muscle elasticity. Published in the journal Science Advances, the findings point to up to an 80% improvement in heart function in tested models, offering new hope to hundreds of thousands of patients suffering from a stubborn and common type of heart failure that has previously lacked effective medical solutions.
The Challenge of Stiff Heart Muscle
At the center of the research is a common heart condition where the heart continues to pump blood normally, but the heart muscle becomes rigid and fails to relax properly between beats. This condition is particularly prevalent among the elderly, diabetics, and individuals suffering from obesity. It is considered very difficult to treat medically because existing medications are generally designed for weak hearts rather than stiff ones.
Promising Results in Laboratory Tests
As part of the study, conducted on mice and testing human heart tissue in the laboratory, researchers discovered remarkable results: the natural substance reduced scarring in the heart muscle, helped it relax much more easily between beats, and even improved its overall function by up to 80% compared to untreated hearts. According to the researchers, the compound successfully activates a natural protein responsible for lowering blood pressure and relaxing the heart muscle, thereby easing the dangerous internal pressure generated within the organ.
Despite the very encouraging results, scientists clarify that the road ahead is still long. The experiments have been conducted so far on animals and laboratory tissues, and comprehensive clinical trials in humans are required to prove that the substance is indeed effective for real patients.
This means that one cannot simply eat a lot of pomegranates to cure heart disease. However, experts remind that combining a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables is always the safest and best way to maintain long-term heart health.
