Effects of Pomegranate Juice on Ulcerative Colitis

the study is aimed at evaluating the effects of pomegranate juice (PomJ) on: 1) gut inflammation (fecal calprotectin and Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index) and quality of life; 2) circulating inflammatory markers (e.g., hs-CRP, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-a, IL-1b, IL-8, LBP, LPS) and markers of oxidative stress (blood and urine malondialdehyde (MDA)) and 3) gut microbiota composition and functionality (urinary and circulating urolithin metabolites, fecal SCFAs/BAs, blood LBP and LPS, etc.). We will perform a randomized, controlled, 16-week trial to generate preliminary evidence on the effects of PomJ consumption in patients with mild-to-moderate UC. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: intervention group and delayed start group. The study will involve 2 phases, each lasting for 8 weeks. During Phase 1, the intervention group will consume 237 ml of PomJ daily, while the delayed start group will follow their habitual diet. Data generated from the delayed start group during Phase 1 will serve as the control for the study. During Phase 2, the intervention group will stop consuming PomJ and switch to consuming their habitual diet, while the delayed start group will consume 237 ml of PomJ daily for 8 weeks. Data generated from the intervention group during Phase 2 will serve as a follow-up to explore whether the effects of PomJ consumption persist after consumption is stopped (this will be an exploratory outcome).