Globally, many patients with heart failure suffer from heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. In this condition, the heart muscle tissue becomes stiff and cannot relax properly between beats, which disrupts blood flow in the heart. This disease cannot be completely cured, but it can be managed.
However, scientists from the Royal College of London conducted a study that revealed the potential benefits of pomegranate in managing this issue. The research was published in the journal Science Advances.
Heart failure comes in two types. In the common form, the heart muscle tissue thins and weakens, preventing the heart from effectively pumping blood. In the case of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, the problem lies in the improper relaxation of the muscles. Due to high blood pressure, diabetes, or age, the heart walls become very hard. As a result, the heart does not have enough time to fill with blood between beats, leading to shortness of breath, leg swelling, and inability to climb stairs.
The study established that pomegranate contains a specific component called urolithin A. This component is formed after digestion in the stomach by beneficial bacteria. The team of scientists from the Royal College of London tested this compound on complex models of heart failure. The results showed that this component is capable of improving heart function indicators by up to 80%. It was observed that urolithin A restored the elasticity and relaxing ability of hardened heart muscle tissues, as well as reducing fibrosis, which is the formation of stiff scar tissue inside the heart.
The study also emphasizes that pomegranate is not a cure for any diseases. Scientists warn that this research was conducted only on laboratory tissues and preclinical models. Therefore, it does not mean that one can stop taking heart medication just by consuming pomegranate or its juice. Furthermore, not everyone is able to produce urolithin A after consuming pomegranate, as this depends on the individual's gut microbiome. Nevertheless, the greatest advantage of this study is that scientists can now develop targeted drugs based on 'urolithin A' or similar molecules, whose clinical trials will soon begin.