Human study · Nutrition · 28 Sept 2026
Urolithin A from pomegranate, walnut, and berry pathways improved heart relaxation in animals and engineered human tissue
Source: King's College London / Science Advances
What the research found
Study (animal and engineered human tissue). Jie Su, Joseph R. Burgoyne, and colleagues at King's College London report in Science Advances (2026; 12(34); doi 10.1126/sciadv.aec8088; ScienceDaily 28 September 2026; British Heart Foundation funded). Urolithin A is made in the body after eating pomegranates, walnuts, and some berries. In models of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction — a stiff heart that still pumps but fills poorly — urolithin A activated PKGlα at a cysteine residue, improved relaxation measures by up to 80% versus untreated models, reduced scarring, and limited cell enlargement. Engineered human heart tissue from stem cells also relaxed more with urolithin A. Burgoyne said there is not enough evidence that people should eat pomegranates to treat this condition. James Leiper of the British Heart Foundation said clinical trials in people are still needed. Educational notes. This is not a food-as-cure claim.
Evidence level: Human study. A study in people, but an association isn't proof of cause.
Read the original at King's College London / Science Advances
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