Pomegranate Peel Extract


Punica granatum

Evidence: Emerging

We include pomegranate peel extract in All-in-One Gut essentials because it is rich in polyphenols, particularly punicalagins, which are metabolized by gut bacteria into ellagic acid and further into urolithins. Human studies indicate these compounds modulate gut microbial composition and exhibit anti-inflammatory properties within the intestines, supporting gut barrier function and promoting short-chain fatty acid production. Urolithins are also gaining attention due to possible anti-aging and muscle health properties, as well as support for mitochondria turnover.

There are 728 peer-reviewed scientific studies on this ingredient.

Selected Study 1 of 2:

Yin Y, Martínez R, Zhang W, Estévez M. Crosstalk between dietary pomegranate and gut microbiota: evidence of health benefits. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2024;64(27):10009-10035. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2023.2219763. Epub 2023 Jun 19. PMID: 37335106.

Study Summary:

Study type: Narrative review (Critical Reviews in Food Science & Nutrition, 2024). No new experiment was run.

Participants: None; the authors collate findings from dozens of animal and human studies (ranging from <30 to >100 volunteers each) on pomegranate juice, extracts and isolated punicalagin. A pooled ‘N’ is not provided.

Observed benefits:
  • Gut-friendly shifts: Regular pomegranate intake increases beneficial genera such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia, while curbing potential pathobionts (Clostridia, Bacteroides fragilis group).
  • Metabolite boost: The same trials show higher production of ellagic-acid–derived urolithins and of short-chain-fatty-acid (SCFA) producers (Faecalibacterium, Roseburia).
  • Down-stream effects: Urolithin A and SCFAs have been linked in human or cell models to stronger gut-barrier function, lower inflammation and improved lipid metabolism.
Mechanisms discussed:
  1. Bi-directional “crosstalk” – Punicalagin and related ellagitannins act as "prebiotics;" gut microbes in turn biotransform them into bioavailable urolithins.
  2. Barrier & immune modulation – Urolithins tighten tight junctions and dampen NF-κB signalling, while SCFAs activate G-protein receptors that curb inflammation and support metabolic health.
  3. Individual metabotypes – Only ~30–40 % of people are efficient “urolithin producers”; benefits may vary accordingly, pointing toward personalized nutrition.
Side-effect profile: The review notes no serious safety issues; human trials report good tolerability, with occasional mild digestive complaints (gas, loose stools) when large juice volumes or high-dose extracts are first introduced.

Evidence strength: Supportive but early. Consistent microbiome and biomarker improvements emerge across small-to-moderate RCTs, yet clinical endpoints (e.g., cholesterol, bowel-symptom relief) remain under-powered and heterogeneous. Larger, longer trials—especially in non-urolithin-producing consumers—are still needed before firm health claims can be made.

Selected Study 2 of 2:

Chen Z, Liang N, Zhang H, Li H, Guo J, Zhang Y, Chen Y, Wang Y, Shi N. Resistant starch and the gut microbiome: Exploring beneficial interactions and dietary impacts. Food Chem X. 2024 Jan 3;21:101118. doi: 10.1016/j.fochx.2024.101118. PMID: 38282825; PMCID: PMC10819196.

Study summary: 
Four weeks of a punicalagin-rich pomegranate extract (Pomella® 250 mg/day) in a small pilot RCT shifted gut-microbiome composition toward short-chain-fatty-acid (SCFA) producers and boosted circulating propionate without safety concerns, but clinical outcomes were not assessed.

Study type: Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (pilot).

Participants: 28 healthy adults (25–55 y) randomized; 18 (10 placebo | 8 extract) completed per-protocol.

Observed benefits:
  • Microbiome: Significant enrichment of SCFA-producing taxa (Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Roseburia spp., Ruminococcus spp., Coprococcus eutectus).
  • Metabolites: Plasma propionate ↑162 % (p = 0.02) and acetate ↑38 % (trend) versus placebo; more participants showed ≥10 % rise in urolithin A.
Mechanisms (proposed)

Punicalagin reaches the colon, is hydrolysed to ellagic acid and then urolithins; concurrent expansion of butyrate/propionate-generating bacteria elevates systemic SCFAs, molecules linked to gut and metabolic health.

Side effects

No supplement-related adverse events were reported; drop-outs were attributable to antibiotics or COVID-19 concerns, not tolerability.

Evidence: The study uses gold-standard blinding and placebo control but is limited by a 4-week duration, small n, female predominance, sponsor funding and absence of clinical endpoints (e.g., digestion, lipid or glucose measures). Findings are promising for gut-health positioning, yet larger, longer trials are needed before firm health claims can be made.
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