Pomegranate juice powder is derived from the fruit of the pomegranate (Punica granatum) and is a potent source of antioxidants.
- Antioxidant Properties: High Antioxidant Content: Pomegranate juice is rich in antioxidants, with an oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) value higher than that of most fruits, indicating a potent ability to neutralize free radicals (Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry).
- Heart Health: Lowered Blood Pressure: Pomegranate juice consumption has been associated with a reduction in systolic blood pressure by approximately 5% (Source: Clinical Nutrition).
- Improved Cholesterol Profile: Studies have shown a decrease in LDL cholesterol levels by up to 16% with pomegranate juice consumption (Source: Atherosclerosis).
- Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Reduced Inflammation Markers: Pomegranate juice can reduce inflammatory markers like CRP by up to 32% (Source: Nutrition Research).
- Arthritis Relief: In patients with arthritis, pomegranate extract supplementation reduced joint tenderness by approximately 62% (Source: Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine).
- Cognitive Function: Memory Enhancement: Pomegranate consumption has been linked to improved memory in older adults, with a 30% increase in memory scores (Source: Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine).
- Anticancer Effects: Cancer Prevention: Pomegranate extracts have demonstrated potential anticancer effects, with a 25% reduction in cancer cell proliferation (Source: International Journal of Oncology).
- Prostate Cancer*: In prostate cancer patients, pomegranate juice slowed PSA doubling time, indicating a potential protective effect (Source: Clinical Cancer Research).
- Diabetes Management: Improved Insulin Sensitivity: Pomegranate extract may improve insulin sensitivity, resulting in a 22% reduction in fasting blood glucose levels (Source: Atherosclerosis).
- Digestive Health: Gut Microbiome Support: Pomegranate polyphenols may enhance the diversity of gut microbiota, supporting digestive health (Source: Food & Function).
- Skin Health: Skin Protection: Pomegranate polyphenols can protect the skin from UV damage, reducing skin reddening by approximately 25% (Source: Experimental Dermatology).
The Fountain of Youth? How Pomegranate Juice May Help Slow Down the Aging Process
Pomegranate juice has been known for centuries to have health benefits, especially in traditional medicine. Recently, research has discovered a component in pomegranate called urolithin A that has anti-aging properties. Urolithin A has been shown to promote healthy mitochondrial function, which plays a significant role in the aging process.1-5
Mitochondria are tiny organelles within our cells that generate energy in the form of ATP. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of aging and age-related diseases. As we age, the efficiency of our mitochondria decreases, and they accumulate mutations and damage. This decline in mitochondrial function leads to cellular damage and ultimately aging-related diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.6,7
Urolithin A has been shown to promote healthy mitochondrial function by inducing mitophagy, a process by which aging and damaged mitochondria are cleared from the cell. Mitophagy ensures that healthy mitochondria continue to function properly, and damaged ones are removed, preventing further damage to the cell.8
In a study published in the Journal Nutrition, Obesity and Exercise, the authors aimed to investigate whether a natural substance called urolithin A could improve muscle function and biomarkers associated with mitochondrial and cellular health in older adults. The study involved a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 66 adults aged 65 to 90 years, who were assigned to either receive daily oral supplementation of urolithin A or placebo for four months. The researchers assessed the participants' muscle endurance, six-minute walk distance, and maximal ATP production (a measure of energy production in cells) at baseline, two months, and four months. They also analysed plasma biomarkers associated with cellular and mitochondrial health. The results showed that urolithin A supplementation significantly improved muscle endurance (i.e., the number of muscle contractions until fatigue) in two skeletal muscles (the tibialis anterior in the leg and the first dorsal interosseus in the hand) at two months, compared to placebo. Plasma levels of certain biomarkers were also decreased in the urolithin A group compared to placebo at four months. The researchers concluded that urolithin A supplementation was safe and well-tolerated in the older adult population they studied. The findings suggest that urolithin A supplementation may be beneficial for muscle endurance and plasma biomarkers, which could help counteract age-related muscle decline.9
Pomegranate juice powder, which contains urolithin A, is a convenient way to consume this compound. The powder can be added to smoothies, protein shakes, or water. Studies have shown that consuming pomegranate juice can help reduce oxidative stress, lower blood pressure, and improve cholesterol levels.10-12
In addition to its anti-aging properties, urolithin A has also been shown to have other health benefits. It has been linked to the prevention of colon cancer13,14 and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.15-17 Urolithin A also has anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body.8,18
In conclusion, urolithin A, found in pomegranate juice powder, has shown promise as an anti-aging compound by promoting healthy mitochondrial function through mitophagy. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of aging and age-related diseases, and urolithin A has been shown to improve mitochondrial function in multiple studies. In addition to its anti-aging properties, urolithin A has other health benefits like reducing inflammation and potentially preventing neurodegenerative diseases. Pomegranate juice powder is a convenient way to consume urolithin A and reap its health benefits.
References:
- Esselun C, Theyssen E, Eckert GP. Effects of Urolithin a on mitochondrial parameters in a cellular model of early Alzheimer disease. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021 Aug 3;22(15):8333.
- Andreux PA, Blanco-Bose W, Ryu D, Burdet F, Ibberson M, Aebischer P, Auwerx J, Singh A, Rinsch C. The mitophagy activator urolithin A is safe and induces a molecular signature of improved mitochondrial and cellular health in humans. Nature Metabolism. 2019 Jun;1(6):595-603.
- Liu S, D’Amico D, Shankland E, Bhayana S, Garcia JM, Aebischer P, Rinsch C, Singh A, Marcinek DJ. Effect of urolithin A supplementation on muscle endurance and mitochondrial health in older adults: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA network open. 2022 Jan 4;5(1):e2144279-.
- Singh A, D’Amico D, Andreux PA, Fouassier AM, Blanco-Bose W, Evans M, Aebischer P, Auwerx J, Rinsch C. Urolithin A improves muscle strength, exercise performance, and biomarkers of mitochondrial health in a randomized trial in middle-aged adults. Cell Reports Medicine. 2022 May 17;3(5):100633.
- Jayatunga DP, Hone E, Khaira H, Lunelli T, Singh H, Guillemin GJ, Fernando B, Garg ML, Verdile G, Martins RN. Therapeutic potential of mitophagy-inducing microflora metabolite, urolithin A for Alzheimer’s disease. Nutrients. 2021 Nov;13(11):3744.
- Yao J, Irwin RW, Zhao L, Nilsen J, Hamilton RT, Brinton RD. Mitochondrial bioenergetic deficit precedes Alzheimer's pathology in female mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2009 Aug 25;106(34):14670-5.
- Coskun P, Wyrembak J, Schriner SE, Chen HW, Marciniack C, LaFerla F, Wallace DC. A mitochondrial etiology of Alzheimer and Parkinson disease. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-General Subjects. 2012 May 1;1820(5):553-64.
- D’Amico D, Andreux PA, Valdés P, Singh A, Rinsch C, Auwerx J. Impact of the natural compound urolithin A on health, disease, and aging. Trends in molecular medicine. 2021 Jul 1;27(7):687-99.
- Liu S, D’Amico D, Shankland E, Bhayana S, Garcia JM, Aebischer P, Rinsch C, Singh A, Marcinek DJ. Effect of urolithin A supplementation on muscle endurance and mitochondrial health in older adults: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA network open. 2022 Jan 4;5(1):e2144279-.
- Guo C, Wei J, Yang J, Xu J, Pang W, Jiang Y. Pomegranate juice is potentially better than apple juice in improving antioxidant function in elderly subjects. Nutrition Research. 2008 Feb 1;28(2):72-7.
- Sahebkar A, Ferri C, Giorgini P, Bo S, Nachtigal P, Grassi D. Effects of pomegranate juice on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Pharmacological Research. 2017 Jan 1;115:149-61.
- Esmaillzadeh A, Tahbaz F, Gaieni I, Alavi-Majd H, Azadbakht L. Cholesterol-lowering effect of concentrated pomegranate juice consumption in type II diabetic patients with hyperlipidemia. International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. 2006 May 1;76(3):147-51.
- Kasimsetty SG, Bialonska D, Reddy MK, Ma G, Khan SI, Ferreira D. Colon cancer chemopreventive activities of pomegranate ellagitannins and urolithins. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry. 2010 Feb 24;58(4):2180-7.
- Giménez-Bastida JA, Ávila-Gálvez MÁ, Espín JC, González-Sarrías A. The gut microbiota metabolite urolithin A, but not other relevant urolithins, induces p53-dependent cellular senescence in human colon cancer cells. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2020 May 1;139:111260.
- Jayatunga DP, Hone E, Khaira H, Lunelli T, Singh H, Guillemin GJ, Fernando B, Garg ML, Verdile G, Martins RN. Therapeutic potential of mitophagy-inducing microflora metabolite, urolithin A for Alzheimer’s disease. Nutrients. 2021 Nov;13(11):3744.
- Ballesteros-Alvarez J, Nguyen W, Sivapatham R, Rane A, Andersen JK. Urolithin A reduces amyloid-beta load and improves cognitive deficits uncorrelated with plaque burden in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. Geroscience. 2023 Apr;45(2):1095-113.
- Kujawska M, Jourdes M, Kurpik M, Szulc M, Szaefer H, Chmielarz P, Kreiner G, Krajka-Kuźniak V, Mikołajczak PŁ, Teissedre PL, Jodynis-Liebert J. Neuroprotective effects of pomegranate juice against Parkinson’s disease and presence of ellagitannins-derived metabolite—urolithin A—in the brain. International journal of molecular sciences. 2019 Dec 27;21(1):202.
- Larrosa M, González-Sarrías A, Yáñez-Gascón MJ, Selma MV, Azorín-Ortuño M, Toti S, Tomás-Barberán F, Dolara P, Espín JC. Anti-inflammatory properties of a pomegranate extract and its metabolite urolithin-A in a colitis rat model and the effect of colon inflammation on phenolic metabolism. The Journal of nutritional biochemistry. 2010 Aug 1;21(8):717-25.
