02/09/2025
A growing body of research is pointing to the potential of pomegranates and other antioxidant-rich foods in the fight against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)âa condition that now accounts for nearly half of all chronic liver disease-related deaths globally.
According to a new study from Edith Cowan University (ECU), a compound called ellagic acid, found naturally in pomegranates, raspberries, blackberries, and pecans, may help halt or even reverse liver damage caused by the disease.
NAFLD is commonly associated with obesity and has seen a rapid rise in prevalence over the past decade. Yet, no approved pharmaceutical treatment currently exists. Thatâs where ellagic acid shows promise. Known for its powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and anticancer properties, ellagic acid may offer a natural, food-based therapeutic option.
In earlier pilot studies, ellagic acid stood out among several polyphenolic compounds for its ability to reduce inflammation in liver tissue.
The team notes that combining ellagic acid with other antioxidant-rich nutraceuticals may have a synergistic effect, opening the door to new combination therapies based on everyday foods.
đ RESEARCH PAPER
đ Tharani Senavirathna et al, Unlocking the Therapeutic Potential of Ellagic Acid for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis, Antioxidants (2024).