A healthy gut is influenced by various factors, including diet, lifestyle, genetic factors, and environmental conditions. The activities of gut microbial populations are also pivotal to gut health and are influenced to some degree by each of these factors. However, diet appears to exert the greatest influence on the gut microbiome. Polyphenols of fruit, vegetables and other products are ubiquitous in our daily foods and have properties that can potentially protect against various chronic diseases and benefit tissues such as those of the gut. Within the gut, dietary polyphenols have been demonstrated to benefit colorectal tissue integrity and function, gut bacterial growth and activities, and the immune system. Studies have also shown that gut microbes convert polyphenols to bioactive metabolites that influence health. Our understanding of the role that dietary polyphenols play in modulating gut health continues to grow and with it the opportunity to translate this into the development of new or improved dietary supplements or therapies.
The aim of this Research Topic is to provide a platform for the publication of research which furthers our understanding of how dietary polyphenols can maintain or improve gut health, with an emphasis on how this could be translated into their use as dietary supplements to prevent disease or therapies to treat disease.
This Research Topic welcomes Original Research Articles, Case Reports, Hypothesis and Theory and Review Articles based on, but not limited to, the following themes related to polyphenols:
1. Identification, characterization and/or improved understanding of dietary polyphenols with potential to improve gut health or which improve other aspects of health through a mechanism involving the gut and its microbes;
2. Studies involving biochemical, in vitro, animal and human analysis or substantiation;
3. Treatment or prevention of gastrointestinal diseases or conditions; and
4. Modulation of gut microbiome, immune function, gut barrier function or gut motility.
A healthy gut is influenced by various factors, including diet, lifestyle, genetic factors, and environmental conditions. The activities of gut microbial populations are also pivotal to gut health and are influenced to some degree by each of these factors. However, diet appears to exert the greatest influence on the gut microbiome. Polyphenols of fruit, vegetables and other products are ubiquitous in our daily foods and have properties that can potentially protect against various chronic diseases and benefit tissues such as those of the gut. Within the gut, dietary polyphenols have been demonstrated to benefit colorectal tissue integrity and function, gut bacterial growth and activities, and the immune system. Studies have also shown that gut microbes convert polyphenols to bioactive metabolites that influence health. Our understanding of the role that dietary polyphenols play in modulating gut health continues to grow and with it the opportunity to translate this into the development of new or improved dietary supplements or therapies.
The aim of this Research Topic is to provide a platform for the publication of research which furthers our understanding of how dietary polyphenols can maintain or improve gut health, with an emphasis on how this could be translated into their use as dietary supplements to prevent disease or therapies to treat disease.
This Research Topic welcomes Original Research Articles, Case Reports, Hypothesis and Theory and Review Articles based on, but not limited to, the following themes related to polyphenols:
1. Identification, characterization and/or improved understanding of dietary polyphenols with potential to improve gut health or which improve other aspects of health through a mechanism involving the gut and its microbes;
2. Studies involving biochemical, in vitro, animal and human analysis or substantiation;
3. Treatment or prevention of gastrointestinal diseases or conditions; and
4. Modulation of gut microbiome, immune function, gut barrier function or gut motility.