Benefits
Healthy energy and less tiredness
In registry studies from one research group, adults with long-standing fatigue who added 300 mg/day for 4 weeks to a lifestyle plan reported larger fatigue improvements than those on the plan alone. There was no placebo or blinding, so expectation may explain part of the effect.
Recovery after surgery
In a double-blind trial in 66 women after hysterectomy, 300 mg/day for 8 weeks improved general and mental health scores at 4 weeks, while some scores worsened on placebo, and lowered oxidative stress markers. By 8 weeks both groups had improved to a similar degree, and many women dropped out.
Athletic endurance in amateur triathletes
In a 2-week registry study, 27 amateur triathletes taking 300 mg/day cut their total triathlon time by 10.6%, compared with 3.4% in 27 athletes who did not take it, and reported less muscle pain and quicker recovery. There was no placebo or blinding.
Healthy liver enzyme levels
In a study of 34 adults with fatty liver, 18 who added 200 mg/day for 3 months to standard care had lower AST, APRI score and fasting glucose than 16 on standard care alone. There was no placebo, and randomization and blinding were not described.
Mechanism of action
Absorption and urolithin production
In healthy volunteers, total blood phenols and roburin metabolites rose after Robuvit intake. In women after hysterectomy, the number of urolithin producers and blood urolithin levels rose over 8 weeks of 300 mg/day, showing that gut bacteria convert its ellagitannins.
Oxidative stress markers
Several Robuvit studies measured lower plasma free radicals or other oxidative stress markers with Robuvit. Whether these changes cause the reported effects on fatigue or recovery has not been tested.
Urolithins and mitochondria
Urolithin A has been linked to mitochondrial recycling in laboratory research. Effects on mitochondria have not been measured in people taking Robuvit, so this remains a hypothesis for this extract.
Clinical trials
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 300 mg/day for 8 weeks after surgery, with SF-36 health scores as the main outcome. Partly funded by a Horphag Research grant. (Ferianec et al. 2020, Nutrients)
66 women having a hysterectomy for non-cancer reasons, 33 per group; 5 on Robuvit and 13 on placebo dropped out soon after surgery.
At 4 weeks, general and mental health scores improved on Robuvit, while some scores worsened on placebo, and oxidative stress and MMP-9 activity were lower than with placebo. By 8 weeks both groups had improved regardless of treatment. Unequal dropout limits the result.
4-week registry study: a management plan of sleep, diet, exercise and rest, with or without Robuvit 300 mg/day, followed for 6 months. No placebo or blinding. (Belcaro et al. 2015, J Neurosurg Sci)
80 adults with fatigue lasting more than 6 months and raised oxidative stress, otherwise healthy: 38 used Robuvit and 42 were controls.
Symptoms improved in both groups, more so with Robuvit, including the items of the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue questionnaire. Plasma free radicals fell in the Robuvit group.
Registry study of Robuvit 200 mg/day plus a management plan vs the plan alone, assessed at 3 and 6 months. No placebo or blinding. (Belcaro et al. 2014, Panminerva Med)
91 adults aged 35 to 44 with chronic fatigue: 48 in the Robuvit group and 43 controls; 3 dropped out of each group.
Most symptom scores improved more with Robuvit, and an overall mood score rose from -6.93 to +4.32, compared with -6.5 to -3.4 in controls. Oxidative stress fell with Robuvit. No side effects were observed.
2-week registry study of 300 mg/day during training, without placebo or blinding. (Vinciguerra et al. 2015, Minerva Cardioangiol)
61 amateur triathletes aged 30 to 40 enrolled; 27 using Robuvit and 27 controls were analysed.
Total triathlon time fell by 10.56% with Robuvit and 3.41% in controls, with greater gains in swimming, cycling and running. Post-race pain, cramps and recovery time were rated better, and plasma free radicals after the final run were higher in controls. No side effects were reported.
3-month study of standard management with or without Robuvit 200 mg/day. No placebo; randomization and blinding not described. (Belcaro et al. 2022, Minerva Gastroenterol (Torino))
34 adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver: 18 on Robuvit and 16 controls.
AST, APRI score and fasting glucose were lower than in controls, platelet count and albumin improved, and liver size on ultrasound decreased. No side effects were observed.