Abstract
Citrus flavanones, with hesperidin and naringin as the most abundant representatives, have various beneficial effects, including anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. Evidence also indicates that they may impact the intestinal microbiome and are metabolized by the microbiota as well, thereby affecting their bioavailability. In this review, we provide an overview on the current evidence on the intestinal fate of hesperidin and naringin, their interaction with the gut microbiota, and their effects on intestinal barrier function and intestinal inflammation. These topics will be discussed as they may contribute to gastrointestinal health in various diseases. Evidence shows that hesperidin and naringin are metabolized by intestinal bacteria, mainly in the (proximal) colon, resulting in the formation of their aglycones hesperetin and naringenin and various smaller phenolics. Studies have also shown that citrus flavanones and their metabolites are able to influence the microbiota composition and activity and exert beneficial effects on intestinal barrier function and gastrointestinal inflammation. Although the exact underlying mechanisms of action are not completely clear and more research in human subjects is needed, evidence so far suggests that citrus flavanones as well as their metabolites have the potential to contribute to improved gastrointestinal function and health.
Highlights
Polyphenols are naturally occurring secondary metabolites found in plants, where they play an important role in the plant’s defense systems by providing protection against, e.g., pathogens, insects, and UV radiation
Oxidative stress, and intestinal microbiota perturbations are involved in several gastrointestinal (GI) as well as metabolic diseases, consumption of citrus flavanones may contribute to the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis and may improve GI health
Citrus flavanones reach the distal part of the small intestine and the colon almost completely intact, where they interact with the microbiota
Summary
Polyphenols are naturally occurring secondary metabolites found in plants, where they play an important role in the plant’s defense systems by providing protection against, e.g., pathogens, insects, and UV radiation. The consumption of citrus flavanones has repeatedly been associated with a lower risk of degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancers [8,9,10,11,12,13] This potentially protective effect has been related to the various properties of these compounds, which include anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities [14,15,16]. Oxidative stress, and intestinal microbiota perturbations are involved in several gastrointestinal (GI) as well as metabolic diseases, consumption of citrus flavanones may contribute to the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis and may improve GI health. As part of the inflammatory response, reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species are produced, resulting in enhanced exposure to oxidative stress [24] Because of their putative mechanistic effects, citrus flavanones may be of interest in the prevention and/or treatment of various diseases. In this review, we will provide an overview of the current evidence on the intestinal fate of citrus flavanones, including their interaction with the intestinal microbiota as well as their effects on factors contributing to GI health
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