Pomegranate has been popular in men’s health for years, mostly because of its polyphenols. But here’s the part that gets left out: those polyphenols aren’t the active ingredient. They’re just raw material. The molecule that actually helps - Urolithin A - only gets made if your gut bacteria can produce it. And a lot of men’s guts can’t. It’s the same story as S-equol: a useful compound doing the real work, while most supplements just sell the unconverted raw version.
The 40% Problem
Pomegranate (and walnuts, and some berries) contain compounds that specific gut bacteria need to convert into Urolithin A before they help your mitochondria - the parts of your cells that produce energy. In one study, 100 people drank pomegranate juice, and only around 40% showed real conversion into Urolithin A. The other 60% got almost nothing - not because of their diet, but because their gut lacked the right bacteria.
Even the 40% who could convert it ended up with levels about six times lower than people who took a direct, already-converted supplement. So even the “producers” were only getting a weak dose.
Our answer: ferment the pomegranate extract before it reaches you, so the conversion is already done.
What the Studies Found
Early research in animals showed Urolithin A helps cells clear out damaged mitochondria and improves exercise ability. A placebo-controlled trial in elderly adults found it safe, with real increases in mitochondria-related gene activity in muscle. A trial in middle-aged adults found immune cells behaved in a more youthful way, with better fat-burning capacity - relevant to immune decline as we age. Separate research linked higher Urolithin A levels to a healthier gut lining and lower inflammation.
Mitochondrial decline is a well-known part of ageing, linked to muscle loss and immune decline. What’s new is having actual human trial data behind this specific compound, rather than just lab research.
Why We Ferment It First
Our Fermented Pomegranate Extract (150mg per serving) is made through controlled fermentation, specifically to convert the pomegranate compounds before they reach you - rather than leaving that conversion up to chance. Same idea as S-equol: don’t rely on the reader’s gut bacteria to do the work.
An Honest Caveat
The strongest human evidence above used a purified, high-dose form of Urolithin A (500-1,000mg) - not our fermented pomegranate extract. Ours is 150mg of fermented extract. It works on the same principle and mechanism, but it isn’t a direct match for the exact amount used in those trials, and we won’t pretend otherwise. The case for Urolithin A as a molecule is strong. We’re just being clear about what has and hasn’t been tested at our specific dose.
Why It’s in Men’s Wellness
Men’s health protocols have used pomegranate for years, usually based on instinct rather than science. We’ve paired the fermented pomegranate extract with the formula’s other ingredients - saw palmetto, stinging nettle root, boron and lycopene - following the same rule throughout: know how it works, know the right dose, and don’t leave the final step to chance.
The Takeaway
If you’ve been eating pomegranate or walnuts for muscle-ageing or longevity reasons, you might be one of the 60% getting very little benefit - through no fault of your own. It’s not something to worry about. It’s just worth knowing what you’re actually getting, and why a fermented version exists.
By Alastair Jessel, The Postbiotic Company. Adapted from our writings on Substack.
