Pomegranate Metabolite May Help Increase Muscle Strength

Pomegranates are round, red fruits with a white inner flesh that is packed with edible seeds. A recent study has found that supplementation with a pomegranate metabolite called urolithin A may help increase muscle strength and improve exercise performance.

Particiapnts in the study included 88 healthy, overweight adults with an average age of 51. They were given 500 mg of pomegranate metabolite, 1,000 mg of pomegranate metabolite, or a placebo daily for 4 months. Leg muscle strength was evaluated at baseline and at the end of the study period. Participants performed a cycling distance test and a 6 minute walk test at baseline, 2 months, and 4 months..

Participants in both supplement groups saw significant increases in leg strength, 12% in the 500 mg group and 10% in the 1,000 mg group. Participants in the 1,000 mg group also saw a 15% increase in distance cycled and an increase in walking distance.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. It was published on May 17, 2022 in the journal Cell Reports Medicine.

A previous study found that urolithin A may help improve muscle endurance.