The gut-mediated function of polyphenols: Opinions on functional food development for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Polyphenols, one of the food-bioactive compounds, are well proven to ameliorate nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) symptoms effectively. The key role of intestinal bacterial translocation (BT) in the pathogenesis of NAFLD implies that the gut may be a bridge linking polyphenols and NAFLD. Accordingly, recent scientific evidence from animal and human studies has been reviewed in this opinion article, involving the polyphenol-mediated targets of the intestinal integrity and colonic microbiota. For applications in functional foods, microencapsulated polyphenols are preferred to isolated polyphenols for different characterizations. Further, considering the status of dysbacteriosis as an initiator in BT, the encapsulation technology aiming for the colon-targeted mucoadhesive delivery of polyphenols is envisioned as a trend for the future development of functional food.

Automated summary

Polyphenols have been proven to effectively improve the symptoms of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The role of intestinal bacterial translocation (BT) in the pathogenesis of NAFLD suggests that the gut may connect polyphenols and NAFLD. Recent scientific evidence from animal and human studies has reviewed the polyphenol-mediated targets of intestinal integrity and colonic microbiota in this opinion article. Microencapsulated polyphenols are preferred over isolated polyphenols for functional food applications due to their different characteristics. Considering dysbacteriosis as an initiator in BT, the encapsulation technology for colon-targeted mucoadhesive delivery of polyphenols is envisioned as a future trend in functional food development.