Gut Microbiota and Health

Abstract

The composition of human gut microbiota is crucial to the healthy functioning of the host. In this chapter, the effects of dietary antioxidants, particularly polyphenols, on the gut microbiota are discussed. The role played by the food matrix in the bioaccessibility of antioxidants in the upper gastrointestinal tract, their oral hydrolysis, and absorption in the small intestine are also reviewed. The bi-directional relationship between polyphenols and the gut microbiota, including microbial metabolism of different classes of bioactive compounds, and modulation of the composition of the microbiota by polyphenols are covered. The data presented support the need for future studies on the diverse interactions between antioxidants and the gut microbiota under healthy and pathological conditions.