Pomegranate may help fight colorectal cancer

Scientists have examined the effects of Urolithin A found in the body as a result of consuming Pomegranates.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly occurring cancers in individuals. Urolithin A is found in gut bacteria after the metabolisation of a polyphenol produced by Pomegranates.

Recent studies have shown that in mouse models, Urolithin A has mitophagic properties; that is, it kills the mitochondria in redundant cells of the body. This is synonymous with the aspect of killing tumour cells in the human body.

How the study worked

Researchers used mouse models, induced with colorectal cancer, and observed them for over a period of 18 weeks.

The mice were put on a Urolithin A diet for the duration of the experiment. The experiment proved that Urolithin A was successful in reducing the size and the number of tumor cells in the colon.

While the study proved the hypothesis true, further experiments are needed to prove the mechanism of Urolithin A. It is also important to work out whether this theory proves true for humans as well.