Although certain foods contain polyphenols that can ultimately lead to the formation of urolithin A, not everyone produces this metabolite to the same extent. Scientific studies show that this largely depends on it gut microbiome – the collection of bacteria that live in the human intestine.
Because the composition of intestinal bacteria can vary greatly from person to person, there is also variation in the way nutrients are converted. As a result, some people produce measurable amounts of urolithin A, while others hardly do so.
For this reason, the connection is also investigated and offered in a standardized form, for example as urolithin A powder. The presence of the substance is not dependent on microbial conversion in the intestine.
The human gut microbiome consists of trillions of bacteria that play an important role in the breakdown of nutrients. Some of these bacteria can convert dietary polyphenols into smaller molecules known as metabolites.
Urolithin A belongs to these metabolites. It is made from polyphenols called ellagitannins. These substances are found in foods such as pomegranate, walnuts and certain berries.
The process takes place in several steps:
Only when specific bacterial strains are present can urolithin A ultimately be formed.
The composition of the gut microbiome is influenced by several factors, including diet, lifestyle, age and genetic background. As a result, each person has a unique microbial composition.
Researchers therefore describe several so-called metabotypes. These are groups of people who show similar patterns in the way their gut bacteria metabolize polyphenols.
In some metabotypes, urolithin A is formed relatively efficiently, while other metabotypes mainly produce other metabolites or only minimal amounts of this compound.
Although urolithin A itself is usually not found directly in food, certain foods may contain the precursors necessary for its formation. Foods rich in ellagitannins in particular are mentioned in studies.
Examples of this are:
You can read more about these nutritional sources in the article urolithin A from food.
Interhuman variation in the production of microbial metabolites is an important area of research in nutritional science and microbiome research. Scientists investigate how the interaction between diet, intestinal bacteria and metabolites influences cellular processes.
Within this field of research, urolithin A is often used as an example of a metabolite that arises through the collaboration between diet and the intestinal microbiome.
For a broader explanation of this connection and its origins, you can also read the article what is urolithin A.
Production depends on specific bacteria in the gut microbiome. Because the composition of intestinal flora differs per person, some people produce little or no urolithin A.
Intestinal bacteria convert polyphenols from food into various metabolites. Urolithin A is one of the compounds that can be formed during this process.
Foods such as pomegranate, walnuts and certain berries contain ellagitannins that can be converted into urolithins by intestinal bacteria.
No. Production can vary widely between individuals depending on their gut microbiome and other factors such as diet and lifestyle.
Yes. In addition to natural formation via intestinal bacteria, there is also: urolithin A powder in which the compound is directly present in a standardized composition.
