Manipulating effects of fruits and vegetables on gut microbiota – a critical review

The objective of the current review was to systematically investigate health-promoting manipulating effects of fruits and vegetables (F&V) on the gut microbiota. The function of gut microbes was found to promote health effects in the host by scavenging free radicals, modulating immune system, alleviating obesity and diabetes. Masters that manipulate the gut microbiota are the phytochemicals within specific types of F&V, where polyphenols account for the largest proportion, along with alkaloids, terpenes, nitrogen-containing compounds, polysaccharides and natural pigments present in plants. These bioactive compounds exhibit the regulative influences on gut microorganisms characterised by rescuing dysbiosis of gut microbiota, increasing/decreasing microbial abundance, restructuring microbial composition, and rebalancing gut microbial homeostasis. This review indicated that F&V extracts targeting at gut microbiota could be a new scope of ingredient selection in the field of functional food especially for amelioration of dysfunction of intestinal ecosystem.