Interactions between Bioactive Food Ingredients and Intestinal Microbiota, volume II

Book excerpt: This is Volume II of the Research Topic "Interactions between Bioactive Food Ingredients and Intestinal Microbiota". The previous edition can be found here. Numerous microorganisms colonize the gastrointestinal tract playing critical roles concerning digestion and absorption of dietary nutrients and the regulation of important functions, including host metabolism, immunity, and intestinal barrier function. Increasing evidence suggests that food encompassing nutrients and polyphenols are strong drivers shaping the composition and function of the gut microbiota and mediate the host's physiological activities directly or indirectly. However, the mechanisms involved in the interactions between food nutrients/prebiotics, gut microbiota and host health have not been enlightened to a wide extent.