Can pomegranate juice help reduce gut inflammation in ulcerative colitis?

Plain-English translation of NCT07115862 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated December 2025 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

Researchers at UCLA want to see if pomegranate juice can help calm inflammation in the gut and improve symptoms in people with ulcerative colitis. Over 16 weeks, half of the participants will drink pomegranate juice for the first 8 weeks while the other half waits, then they'll switch. The study will measure changes in gut inflammation, blood markers of inflammation, and the beneficial bacteria in your gut.

Ulcerative colitis causes painful gut inflammation, and current treatments don't work well enough for everyone. This research explores whether a simple, natural addition to your diet—pomegranate juice—might help reduce inflammation and improve your quality of life alongside your regular medications.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are 18 years old or older
you have been diagnosed with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis confirmed by a doctor and recent testing
you currently eat fewer than 3 servings of fruits and vegetables per day
your ulcerative colitis medicines (if any) have been at the same dose for at least 4 weeks
you show signs of active gut inflammation on recent blood tests or endoscopy

You likely don't qualify if…

you are a vegetarian or vegan
you have a known allergy to pomegranate
you have other serious health conditions like diabetes, liver or kidney disease, or active cancer
you have recently taken antibiotics in the past 3 months or are taking probiotics or fiber supplements
you are a smoker or live with someone who smokes

What participation looks like

You'll be randomly assigned to one of two groups for a 16-week study. One group drinks 8 ounces of pomegranate juice daily for the first 8 weeks, then stops. The other group waits 8 weeks, then drinks the juice for 8 weeks. Throughout the study, you'll provide blood samples, stool samples, and urine samples to measure inflammation and gut bacteria. You'll also complete questionnaires about your symptoms and quality of life.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 5, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(2 sites)

United States

West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California

UCLA Center for Human Nutrition, Los Angeles, California