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Review
. 2021 Dec 28;14(1):137.
doi: 10.3390/nu14010137.

Polyphenols-Gut Microbiota Interrelationship: A Transition to a New Generation of Prebiotics

Diana Plamada  1 , Dan Cristian Vodnar  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Polyphenols-Gut Microbiota Interrelationship: A Transition to a New Generation of Prebiotics

Diana Plamada et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

The present review summarizes the studies carried out on this topic in the last five years. According to the new definitions, among all the compounds included in the group of prebiotics, polyphenols are probably the most important secondary metabolites produced by the plant kingdom. Many of these types of polyphenols have low bioavailability, therefore reaching the colon in unaltered form. Once in the colon, these compounds interact with the intestinal microbes bidirectionally by modulating them and, consequently, releasing metabolites. Despite much research on various metabolites, little is known about the chemistry of the metabolic routes used by different bacteria species. In this context, this review aims to investigate the prebiotic effect of polyphenols in preclinical and clinical studies, highlighting that the consumption of polyphenols leads to an increase in beneficial bacteria, as well as an increase in the production of valuable metabolites. In conclusion, there is much evidence in preclinical studies supporting the prebiotic effect of polyphenols, but further clinical studies are needed to investigate this effect in humans.

Keywords: bacteria; bioactive compounds; gut microbiota; polyphenols; prebiotics.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Prebiotic classification (GOS, galactooligosaccharides; FOS, fructooligosaccharides; XOS, xylooligosaccharides, IMO, isomaltooligosaccharides; PUFAs, polyunsaturated fatty acids) [38].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Roles of polyphenols on gut microbiota and implications in human health.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Metabolism of polyphenols by human gut microbiota.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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