Pomegranate Punicalagins: A UK Buyer’s Guide

Punicalagins are the large polyphenols, called ellagitannins, that make pomegranate one of the richest fruit sources of these compounds. When you buy a pomegranate extract in the UK, the label will usually be standardised either to a percentage of punicalagins or to a percentage of ellagic acid, and the two figures are not interchangeable. This guide explains what they mean, how extracts compare with the fruit and juice, and where pomegranate (dadima) fits in Ayurveda.

What are punicalagins and ellagic acid?

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) contains a family of polyphenols called ellagitannins. The most abundant are punicalagins, which are found mainly in the peel (husk) and the pith, with smaller amounts in the juice.

Punicalagins are big molecules. In the gut they are broken down into ellagic acid, and gut bacteria then convert ellagic acid into smaller compounds called urolithins. A 2023 study from the University of Mississippi’s National Center for Natural Products Research found that, after taking a pomegranate extract, urolithin A made the largest contribution to what appeared in the blood, and it appeared later than ellagic acid because it depends on gut microbes.

People differ in how well they make urolithins. Researchers group people into “metabotypes”, and the same research team noted that around a third of people lack the gut bacteria needed to produce urolithin A. That is one reason pomegranate studies often show variable results between individuals.

Standardisation: % punicalagins vs % ellagic acid

The figure on a pomegranate extract label tells you what the manufacturer has measured, and it is worth understanding the difference:

• Standardised to punicalagins (for example 30% punicalagins) tells you how much of the intact ellagitannin is in the extract. This is closer to the profile of the natural fruit and peel.
• Standardised to ellagic acid (often 40%) tells you how much free ellagic acid is present. Ellagic acid levels can be raised during processing by breaking down the punicalagins, so a high ellagic acid figure doesn’t necessarily mean a high punicalagin content.
• Total polyphenols is a broader measure that includes many compounds, so it is less specific.

None of these is “right” or “wrong”, but they describe different products. If you specifically want punicalagins, look for that word on the label, and check which part of the fruit the extract is made from. Extracts are commonly made from peel or whole fruit; root and stem bark preparations are different materials and are not what you want in a food supplement.

Whole fruit vs juice vs extract

Format	What you get	Punicalagin content	Things to consider
Fresh fruit (arils)	Seeds and juice sacs with fibre	Modest; most punicalagins are in the peel, which isn’t eaten	A whole food with fibre and vitamins; easy to include in meals
100% juice	Pressed juice, often including some peel compounds if whole fruit is pressed	Variable, depends on pressing method	Contains natural sugars; counts towards free sugars in NHS guidance
Standardised extract (capsule)	Concentrated dried extract, usually peel or whole fruit	Stated on label as % punicalagins or % ellagic acid	Convenient and sugar-free; more concentrated than food, so cautions matter more
Ayurvedic churna (e.g. Dadimashtak)	Powdered pomegranate with spices and sugar	Not standardised	A traditional formula rather than a polyphenol supplement

For most people, eating pomegranate as a fruit is the simplest approach. An extract makes sense if you want a measured, consistent amount of polyphenols without the sugar of juice. Trexgenics Pomegranate Extract Capsules are a capsule option; as with any extract, check the label for the standardisation figure and the part of the plant used.

Dadima: pomegranate in Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, pomegranate is called dadima. Classical texts, including the Charaka Samhita and later works such as the Bhavaprakasha, discuss it, distinguishing sweeter and sourer kinds and valuing the fruit as a food as well as an ingredient in formulas. The sweet variety in particular is generally described in Ayurvedic tradition as a balancing, easily digested fruit, while the rind has also been used in traditional preparations.

Dadima is traditionally used in Ayurveda to support digestion and appetite, and it is commonly combined with warming spices to make it suitable for taking around mealtimes.

Dadimashtak churna explained

Dadimashtak churna (also spelled Dadimastak or Dadimashtaka) is a classical Ayurvedic powder referenced in texts such as the Bhaishajya Ratnavali. Its lead ingredient is pomegranate, combined with digestive spices and aromatics. Formulations commonly list:

• pomegranate (dadima)
• trikatu (ginger, black pepper and long pepper)
• ajwain, cumin and coriander
• cinnamon, cardamom, tejpatta (Indian bay leaf) and nagakesar
• vamshalochana (bamboo silica)
• sugar

Exact proportions vary between texts and manufacturers, and some versions contain a significant amount of sugar, so read the label if you are watching sugar intake. In Ayurvedic tradition, Dadimashtak churna is taken in small amounts after meals to support comfortable digestion. It is a traditional digestive formula, not a standardised punicalagin supplement, so it isn’t a like-for-like alternative to an extract. If you would like to try it, Dadimastak Churna is available in our range.

Pomegranate and amla: two Ayurvedic tannin-rich fruits

Pomegranate is not the only fruit in Ayurveda that is rich in tannins. Amla (Indian gooseberry, Phyllanthus emblica) also contains ellagitannins and related compounds such as ellagic and gallic acid, and is one of the most important rasayana (rejuvenative) fruits in the tradition. The fruit also naturally contains vitamin C, and vitamin C contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress; check individual labels for how much a product provides.

Some people like to rotate or combine the two. Organic India Amla Powder can be stirred into water or smoothies, while Jiva Amla 500mg Tablets are a convenient tablet form. For more on amla’s traditional role, read our amla (Indian gooseberry) UK guide, and browse the wider antioxidants range.

What research does and doesn’t show

Pomegranate polyphenols have been studied extensively in the laboratory, and there are a number of small human studies. However, results vary, studies often use different extracts and doses, and the individual differences in urolithin production make findings hard to generalise. There are no authorised health claims in Great Britain for pomegranate or punicalagins, so be cautious about any product that makes specific promises. Think of pomegranate extract as a concentrated source of plant polyphenols, not as a remedy.

Cautions and medicine interactions

Pomegranate as a food is very widely eaten and generally well tolerated. Concentrated products deserve more care:

• Is pomegranate like grapefruit? This is debated. Animal studies suggested pomegranate juice could inhibit drug-processing enzymes (CYP3A4 and CYP2C9) in a way similar to grapefruit. However, human studies using the sedative midazolam and the painkiller flurbiprofen found no clinically relevant effect. A 2023 review in Molecules noted that human studies have mostly tested single servings, so longer-term use is less well studied. In short: there is no strong human evidence of a grapefruit-style interaction, but it hasn’t been ruled out.
• Blood thinners. There are case reports suggesting pomegranate juice may affect warfarin. If you take warfarin or another anticoagulant, speak to your GP or anticoagulation clinic before adding pomegranate extract or regular juice.
• Other medicines. Isolated case reports have involved statins. If you take any regular prescription medicine, check with a pharmacist first.
• Digestive effects. Loose stools are the most commonly reported side effect, especially at higher amounts.
• Allergy. Pomegranate allergy is uncommon but does occur; avoid it if you have reacted to the fruit before.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Enjoying the fruit is fine, but there is little safety data on concentrated extracts, so speak to your midwife or GP first.
• Surgery. Tell your surgical team about any supplements you take.

How to choose a pomegranate extract

• Decide whether you want punicalagins specifically; if so, look for “% punicalagins” rather than only “% ellagic acid”.
• Check which part of the fruit is used (peel, whole fruit or juice).
• Follow the label amount and don’t combine several concentrated polyphenol products without advice.
• If you prefer a traditional route, use the whole fruit in your diet or a classical formula such as Dadimashtak churna.

Sources and further reading

• Mansoor K. et al. – Impact of Pomegranate Juice on the Pharmacokinetics of CYP3A4- and CYP2C9-Mediated Drugs Metabolism: A Preclinical and Clinical Review. Molecules, 2023; 28(5): 2117
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center – About Herbs: Pomegranate, mskcc.org
• NutraIngredients – Study sheds light on pomegranate extract’s gut-mediated metabolism (University of Mississippi NCNPR, 2023), nutraingredients.com
• NHS – Sugar: the facts (free sugars and fruit juice), nhs.uk

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between punicalagins and ellagic acid?

Punicalagins are large ellagitannins found mainly in pomegranate peel. In the gut they break down into ellagic acid, which gut bacteria then convert into urolithins. An extract standardised to ellagic acid is not the same as one standardised to punicalagins.

Is pomegranate extract better than pomegranate juice?

Not better, just different. An extract gives a measured, more concentrated amount of polyphenols without the natural sugars in juice, while the fruit and juice are foods with other nutrients. Concentrated extracts call for more care if you take medicines.

Does pomegranate interact with medicines like grapefruit does?

The evidence is mixed. Animal studies suggested a grapefruit-like effect, but human studies with single servings have not shown a clinically relevant one. There are case reports involving warfarin, so anyone on blood thinners or regular prescription medicines should check with a pharmacist or GP first.

What is Dadimashtak churna?

Dadimashtak churna is a classical Ayurvedic powder made with pomegranate, digestive spices such as ginger, pepper, ajwain and cumin, aromatics and sugar. In Ayurvedic tradition it is taken in small amounts after meals to support comfortable digestion. It is not standardised for punicalagins.

Can I take pomegranate extract during pregnancy?

Eating pomegranate as a fruit is a normal part of a balanced diet, but there is little safety information on concentrated extracts in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Speak to your midwife or GP before taking one.

This guide is for general information and is not medical advice. Food supplements should not replace a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or under medical supervision, speak to a healthcare professional before using herbal supplements.