Pomegranates: The Surprising Benefits for Improving Alzheimer's Symptoms

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have conducted a study that reveals urolithin A, a compound found in foods such as strawberries, pomegranates and walnuts, can potentially aid in boosting memory and combating the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. The compound, according to the preliminary trials on mice, appears to successfully eliminate damaged mitochondria from the brain. Human clinical trials are expected to follow.

The study concluded that substances naturally found in pomegranates, strawberries, and walnuts can enhance memory and prove useful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease commonly presents itself through symptoms such as forgetfulness, difficulty in finding words and confusion about time and place.

The team of researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that an everyday fruit could be of assistance in providing relief from these symptoms.

Vilhelm Bohr, who is an Affiliate Professor at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Copenhagen and formerly the Department Chair at the US National Institute on Aging, stated that “Our study on mouse models with AD shows that urolithin A, which is a natural substance found in pomegranates, can mitigate memory problems and other fallout of dementia”. He hailed the findings as a positive development for dementia patients, who often find their conditions difficult to treat.

Despite the study currently being restricted to mice, Bohr mentioned that the research carried out has shown promise and that human clinical trials are being planned.

In the past, they discovered a molecule known as nicotinamide riboside (NAD supplement) plays a significant role in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s. The molecule helps in ridding the brain of damaged mitochondria.

Bohr explains, “Numerous patients with neurodegenerative diseases encounter mitophagy, or mitochondrial dysfunction. This signals that the brain is struggling to get rid of weak mitochondria. When these weak mitochondria keep accumulating, they disrupt normal brain function. If you can stimulate the mitophagy process, eliminating weak mitochondria, you will witness some very encouraging results”.

The outcomes of this research show that urolithin A, which is found in pomegranates, aids in getting rid of weak mitochondria from the brain as effectively as NAD supplements.

However, it is still unclear how much urolithin A proves to be beneficial for enhancing memory and mitigating Alzheimer’s symptoms.

Bohr stated, “We cannot make definitive claims regarding the dosage. But I anticipate that it is more than a single pomegranate each day. Nonetheless, the substance is already accessible in the form of pills, and we are trying to find the appropriate dosage”. He hopes to use this substance for preventive measures, considering its lack of significant side effects.

Bohr explained “The benefit of utilizing a natural substance is the minimized risk of undesired side effects. Several studies conducted till now show that there are no severe side effects linked to NAD supplementation. We know lesser about urolithin A, but it has been effective in treating muscular disease in clinical trials and now we have to focus on Alzheimer’s disease."

In Bohr’s words, “In the future, if we plan to consume something to lessen the risk of Alzheimer’s, which is widely talked about, we must ensure that there are no notable side-effects associated with it”.

The study, titled “Urolithin A improves Alzheimer’s disease cognition and restores mitophagy and lysosomal functions” was authored by Yujun Hou, Xixia Chu, Jae-Hyeon Park, Qing Zhu, Mansoor Hussain, Zhiquan Li, Helena Borland Madsen, Beimeng Yang, Yong Wei, Yue Wang, Evandro F. Fang, Deborah L. Croteau and Vilhelm A. Bohr, and was published on May 16, 2024, in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.