Title:

Prospective Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of a Standardized Oral Pomegranate Extract on the Gut Microbiome and Short-Chain Fatty Acids

 

Objective:

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of supplementation with a standardized punicalagin-enriched pomegranate extract, Pomella® (250 mg), on the gut microbiome, circulating short-chain fatty acids, and gut microbial-derived ellagitannin metabolite urolithins. 

 

Results:

Significantly increased relative abundance of Coprococcus eutectus, Roseburia faecis, Roseburia inullnivorans, Ruminococcus bicirculans, Ruminococcus calidus, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Pomegranate extract (PE) supplementation led to the augmentation of circulating propionate levels (p = 0.02) and an increasing trend for acetate levels (p = 0.12). The pomegranate extract (PE) supplementation group had an increased level of circulating urolithins compared to the placebo group (6.6% vs. 1.1%, p = 0.13).

 

Conclusion:

Pomegranate extract supplementation is associated with favourable modulation of the gut microbiome, including increased abundance of beneficial SCFA-producing bacteria. These microbial shifts correlate with elevated circulating propionate and acetate, suggesting enhanced microbial metabolic activity and improved gut–metabolic health outcomes.

 

Full study link can be found HERE.