Can polyphenols patch up the leaky gut?

Increased intestinal permeability, known as “leaky gut,” is implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple chronic diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases, autoimmune diseases, mental illnesses, and metabolic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This disruption of the gut barrier allows translocation of pro-inflammatory factors, such as microbial components and endotoxins, into the bloodstream, causing systemic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. Dietary components, particularly those in ultra-processed foods (UPFs), are known to exacerbate gut barrier dysfunction. Conversely, dietary polyphenols, found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, seeds, wholegrains, tea and coffee, have been shown to support gut health through maintaining tight junctions, regulating inflammation and oxidative stress, and modulating the gut microbiota. This project aims to investigate the effects of UPFs and dietary polyphenols on the permeability of cultured intestinal cells, and the potential for polyphenols to mitigate gut barrier dysfunction and the risk of metabolic diseases.