Urolithin A (UA) is produced by gut microflora from foods rich in ellagitannins. UA has been shown to improve mitochondrial health preclinically and in humans. Not everyone has a microbiome capable of producing UA, making supplementation with UA an appealing strategy.

Sources

One of the most well-known sources of urolithin A is the pomegranate. Despite being known as the fruit of death in Greek mythology, the jewel-like pomegranate has remarkable longevity benefits. During digestion, gut bacteria convert the molecule ellagitannins contained in pomegranate into urolithin A.

Chemistry properties

Urolithin A belongs to the class of organic compounds known as benzo-coumarins or dibenzo-α-pyrones. These are polycyclic aromatic compounds containing a 1-benzopyran moiety with a ketone group at the C2 carbon atom. 

Health benefits

Various tissues contain urolithin A, so it has been proposed to affect multiple organ systems in worms, cells, mice, and humans. In particular, there is significant cell, animal, and human data supporting the idea that urolithin A increases mitophagy. Mitophagy is a process by which damaged mitochondria are removed from the cell, thus promoting the growth and maintenance of healthy mitochondria.

One of the biggest benefits of urolithin A is boosted cellular energy in the mitochondria. Famously known as the powerhouse of the cell, mitochondria are microscopic organelles that convert glucose and oxygen into adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for energy.