Urolithin-A: How Pomegranate Supports Cell Health and Longevity

Have you ever thought about the pomegranate, which keeps coming up in so many health discussions? The pomegranate was already valued in ancient Greece for its versatile properties and was considered the "fruit of the gods". The pomegranate has now been examined in numerous studies and we know that it is not only full of valuable vitamins , but also contains polyphenols that contribute to the formation of urolithin A. But what exactly does this term mean, and why is it increasingly being mentioned in connection with longevity? In this article we look at what urolithin A really is and how it is connected to our health . 

What are polyphenols?

To better understand urolithin-A, it is worth first looking at the concept of polyphenols. Polyphenols are secondary plant compounds found in various plants, such as vegetables, fruits, and grains. In nature, polyphenols protect plants from pests, diseases, and UV rays, while also attracting beneficial insects.

What is urolithin A?

Urolithin A is a polyphenolic compound formed in the body from ellagic acid. Since ellagic acid cannot be directly utilized, intestinal bacteria convert it into various urolithins, with urolithin A and urolithin B being the most common end products. Urolithin A, in particular, is well-studied and most frequently detected in the body.

However, the consumption of foods rich in ellagic acid does not always lead to the formation of urolithin A. The individual intestinal flora is crucial , because not everyone has the necessary composition of bacteria to enable this conversion (3) .

According to Toney et al., healthy individuals without metabolic disorders tend to produce higher amounts of active urolithin A. In contrast, in individuals with metabolic disorders, production is often low. Instead, other, less active forms such as iso-urolithin A or urolithin B are produced (4) .

What processes does urolithin-A undergo in the body?

Once urolithins are formed in the body, they enter the bloodstream and undergo further conversion processes . They are bound to molecules such as methyl, glucuronide, or sulfate groups, which facilitates their transport and metabolism.

Regular consumption of foods rich in ellagic acid can lead to a buildup of significant amounts of urolithins in the body. Urolithin A is stored not only in the intestines, but also in the prostate, liver, kidneys, and even the brain (5) .

Can Urolithin-A promote longevity?

You may have already heard of "longevity," a trendy term that encompasses an exciting topic: longevity . It's not just about living as long as possible, but also living free of disease and symptoms.

Urolithin A could also play a significant role in this context. Research is investigating whether urolithin A can support processes associated with healthy aging. A key role is played by cellular health, particularly the function of mitochondria, the energy sources of our cells. With increasing age, their performance declines, which can promote cellular aging and loss of function.

Initial studies suggest that urolithin-A may contribute to optimizing mitochondrial processes, which could have a positive impact on muscle strength and cognitive function. Research is also underway to determine whether urolithin-A can regulate cellular stress responses, which may reduce cell damage and thus slow down aging processes. While these associations appear promising, further studies are needed to better understand the precise effects on longevity (3) .

Pomegranate as an important source of urolithin-A

As already mentioned, the pomegranate is particularly rich in ellagic acid. The flesh of the pomegranate has a pleasant, sweet and sour taste, but it is often quite laborious to open it and remove the flesh.

Pomegranate juice or concentrate are therefore a popular choice for benefiting from the fruit's valuable nutrients, and they are now available in many varieties on the market. However, not all juices harness the full power of the pomegranate, as only the sweet pulp is usually used in production.

However, most polyphenols are found in the fruit's peel. Therefore, when buying pomegranate juice, make sure it's made from the whole fruit, including the peel. Juices that are particularly rich in polyphenols can be recognized by their slightly bitter taste, which is noticeable alongside the sweet note (6, 7) .