Ellagitannins
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Ellagitannins is a dietary supplement with 9 published peer-reviewed studies involving 680 participants, researched for Antioxidant Activity, Cardiovascular Health, Anti-cancer Activity and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Antioxidant Activity
ModerateCardiovascular Health
StrongAnti-cancer Activity
ModerateGut Health
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Antioxidant Activity
To evaluate ellagitannin-rich pomegranate extract on antioxidant status in healthy adults
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate ellagitannin-rich pomegranate extract on antioxidant status in healthy adults
Dose
300 mg pomegranate extract (40% ellagitannins) daily
Participants
60 healthy adults
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Pomegranate ellagitannin extract significantly increased plasma antioxidant capacity (+26%), reduced 8-isoprostane (−18%), and lowered oxidized LDL compared to placebo. Effects sustained over the 4-week period.
How They Measured It
Plasma total antioxidant capacity, ORAC, 8-isoprostane, oxidized LDL
To compare bioavailability and antioxidant effects of punicalagin vs ellagic acid from pomegranate
Study Type
Randomised crossover trial
Purpose
To compare bioavailability and antioxidant effects of punicalagin vs ellagic acid from pomegranate
Dose
Pomegranate juice vs pomegranate extract capsules providing equivalent ellagitannins
Participants
16 healthy adults
Duration
Single dose crossover
Results
Pomegranate juice ellagitannins showed superior bioavailability vs capsule form. Urolithins A and B were primary metabolites detected in plasma. Both forms reduced DNA oxidative damage and malondialdehyde.
How They Measured It
Plasma punicalagin, urolithin A/B, FRAP, DNA strand breaks, malondialdehyde
Cardiovascular Health
To evaluate pomegranate ellagitannins on atherosclerosis and LDL oxidation in patients at risk
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate pomegranate ellagitannins on atherosclerosis and LDL oxidation in patients at risk
Dose
Pomegranate juice (3 oz/day) rich in ellagitannins
Participants
119 patients with carotid artery stenosis
Duration
1 year
Results
Pomegranate ellagitannin treatment significantly reduced LDL oxidation (−59%), decreased IMT (−30% vs +9% in control), and increased serum paraoxonase activity. Marked cardiovascular protective effects observed.
How They Measured It
LDL oxidation, intima-media thickness (IMT), serum paraoxonase, atherosclerotic lesion size
To evaluate pomegranate-derived ellagitannins on blood pressure and cardiovascular outcomes
Study Type
Meta-analysis
Purpose
To evaluate pomegranate-derived ellagitannins on blood pressure and cardiovascular outcomes
Dose
Pomegranate juice and extract formulations
Participants
Meta-analysis of 8 RCTs (n=418)
Duration
Various
Results
Ellagitannin-rich pomegranate supplementation significantly reduced systolic (−4.96 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (−1.72 mmHg). Favorable effects on LDL oxidation and arterial stiffness also demonstrated.
How They Measured It
Meta-analysis of RCT data on systolic/diastolic BP, lipids, arterial stiffness
Anti-cancer Activity
To evaluate pomegranate ellagitannin extract in men with rising PSA after prostate cancer treatment
Study Type
Phase II clinical trial
Purpose
To evaluate pomegranate ellagitannin extract in men with rising PSA after prostate cancer treatment
Dose
8 oz pomegranate juice daily (high ellagitannin)
Participants
46 men with rising PSA post-prostate cancer treatment
Duration
Study until PSA doubling or 24 months
Results
Pomegranate juice significantly lengthened PSA doubling time from 15 to 54 months. Reduced oxidative stress and proliferation, increased apoptosis in prostate cancer cells ex vivo. Well tolerated.
How They Measured It
PSA doubling time, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, oxidative stress markers
To evaluate ellagitannins from walnuts and pomegranate on colon cancer prevention
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To evaluate ellagitannins from walnuts and pomegranate on colon cancer prevention
Dose
Ellagitannin-rich walnut/pomegranate extract 100-300 mg/kg
Participants
24 rats with AOM-induced colon carcinogenesis
Duration
16 weeks
Results
Ellagitannin supplementation significantly reduced aberrant crypt foci, suppressed tumor incidence, inhibited colonic cell proliferation, increased apoptosis, and downregulated inflammatory and oncogenic gene expression.
How They Measured It
ACF formation, tumor incidence, colonic proliferation and apoptosis, gene expression
To systematically review the anticancer effects of ellagitannins and urolithin metabolites
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To systematically review the anticancer effects of ellagitannins and urolithin metabolites
Dose
Various ellagitannin formulations
Participants
Review of 30 studies
Duration
Various
Results
Ellagitannins demonstrate significant anticancer activity, partly via conversion to urolithins by gut microbiota. Clinical evidence strongest for prostate cancer. Anti-androgenic, anti-proliferative, and pro-apoptotic mechanisms confirmed.
How They Measured It
Systematic review of clinical and pre-clinical anticancer studies
Gut Health
To evaluate effects of ellagitannin-rich supplementation on gut microbiota and urolithin production
Study Type
Randomised placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate effects of ellagitannin-rich supplementation on gut microbiota and urolithin production
Dose
500 mg pomegranate extract (standardized ellagitannins) daily
Participants
50 adults with overweight
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Ellagitannin supplementation significantly enriched Akkermansia muciniphila and Lactobacillus species, increased urolithin A and B production, elevated butyrate levels, and reduced gut permeability markers.
How They Measured It
Gut microbiome 16S sequencing, urolithin urinary excretion, fecal short-chain fatty acids, gut permeability
To review the gut microbiota-mediated transformation of ellagitannins to urolithins and their health effects
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To review the gut microbiota-mediated transformation of ellagitannins to urolithins and their health effects
Dose
Various ellagitannin sources reviewed
Participants
Review of 25 studies
Duration
Various
Results
Only one-third of people are urolithin producers due to gut microbiome variability. Urolithin A has demonstrated mitophagy-inducing and anti-inflammatory effects. Gut microbiome composition is critical for ellagitannin health benefits.
How They Measured It
Systematic review of mechanistic and clinical studies on ellagitannin bioconversion
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ellagitannins research
There are currently 9 peer-reviewed studies on Ellagitannins (Ellagitannins), involving 680 total participants. Research covers Antioxidant activity, Cardiovascular health, Anti-cancer activity and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (9 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Ellagitannins has been researched for: Antioxidant activity, Cardiovascular health, Anti-cancer activity, Gut health. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 9 out of 9 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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