Effects of Pomegranate Juice on Ulcerative Colitis
Effect of Pomegranate Juice on Gut Inflammation, Quality of Life and the Gut Microbiome in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis: A Pilot Study
University of California, Los Angeles
30 participants
Oct 15, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine whether consumption of 237 ml of pomegranate juice daily for 8 weeks will: 1. lower inflammation (in the gut as well as generally in the body) and improve your overall quality of life 2. affect the microbes living in the gut (gut microbiota)
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria8
- • Adults ≥ 18 yo
- Following a low-polyphenol and fiber diet (\< 3 servings of fruits/vegetables per day)
- Mild-to-moderate UC at the time of screening (2 ≤ partial Mayo scores ≤ 5)
- Supportive evidence of active inflammation (hsCRP \>1 mg/L, fecal calprotectin \>50 µg/g stool, or abnormal lower endoscopy) in individuals with biopsy-proven UC
- Patients on 5-aminosalicylates must be on a stable dose for ≥ 4 weeks prior to screening
- Patients on treatment with immunosuppressive therapy (e.g., azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate) must be on stable dose for 8 weeks prior to baseline visit
- At the time of baseline visit, patients may be on no more than 20 mg/day of prednisone and 9 mg/day of budesonide MMX
- Subjects must read and sign the Institutional Review Board-approved written informed consent prior to the initiation of any study specific procedures or enrollment. A subject will be excluded for any condition that might compromise the ability to give truly informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria20
- • Non-English speaker
- Vegetarian/vegan
- Known pomegranate allergy
- Documented chronic disease besides UC, including diabetes, renal or liver diseases, metabolic syndrome, active cancer, MI or stroke, history of gastric bypass
- Patients with CD, indeterminate/severe to fulminant colitis
- History of colectomy or colonic dysplasia
- Presence of ileal pouch or ostomy
- Evidence of active bacterial or viral gastroenteritis as indicated by positive stool studies for ova \& parasites, Clostridium difficile, and stool culture
- Recent hospitalizations (within 2 weeks of screening) for UC requiring IV steroids
- Presence of the following labs indicative of severe colitis: a. Hemoglobin \< 8.0 g/dl b. Albumin \< 3.0 g/dl
- Recent systemic antibiotics use (within 3 months of screening) or active use of anti-diarrheal medications
- Taking supplements known to affect metabolism or gut microbiota composition (probiotics, fiber, etc.), unless willing to stop for the study duration
- Use of Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
- Use of cyclosporine, tacrolimus, or thalidomide within 2 months prior to screening
- Taking exogenous hormones (e.g., hormone replacement therapy)
- Recent weight fluctuations (\>10% in the last 6 months)
- Smoker or living with a smoker
- Use of \>20 g of alcohol per day
- Unable or unwilling to comply with the study protocol (including unwillingness to avoid watermelon and other lycopene-rich foods for the whole duration of the study)
- Unable to provide consent
Interventions
237 ml of pomegranate juice for the first 8 weeks -\> habitual diet for the second 8 weeks
habitual diet for the first 8 weeks -\> 237 ml of pomegranate juice for the second 8 weeks
Locations(2)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.
NCT07115862