King's College London study finds urolithin A improves heart function up to 80%

August 24, 2026 at 12:31 AM1 min

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Researchers at King's College London found that urolithin A, a compound produced after eating pomegranates, walnuts and some berries, improved heart function by up to 80% in animal experiments. The compound also reduced scar tissue and heart muscle enlargement in lab models of human heart tissue. The findings were reported by Zakon.kz citing News-Medical.

Key Facts

Urolithin A improved heart function by up to 80% in animal experiments, according to King's College London researchers.
The compound reduced scar tissue formation and heart muscle enlargement in laboratory models of human heart tissue.
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, the condition studied, accounts for about half of all heart failure cases.
Researchers said clinical trials are needed before pomegranates or urolithin A can be considered a treatment for heart disease.

Study Findings

King's College London scientists found that urolithin A, a compound formed after consuming pomegranates, walnuts and certain berries, may improve heart function. In animal experiments, the substance improved heart performance by up to 80%, helped the heart relax, and reduced scar tissue formation and heart muscle enlargement. Positive effects were also observed in laboratory models of human heart tissue.

Heart Failure Context

Researchers studied urolithin A in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, a condition where the heart pumps normally but becomes stiff and relaxes poorly. This condition accounts for about half of all heart failure cases. Scientists emphasized that it is too early to talk about treating the disease with pomegranates or urolithin A. Results were obtained in animals and artificially created human tissue, so clinical trials are necessary.