Biological Significance of Urolithins, the Gut Microbial Ellagic Acid-Derived Metabolites: The Evidence So Far
Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura
Abstract
The health benefits attributed to pomegranate have been associated with its high content in polyphenols, particularly ellagitannins. This is also the case for other ellagitannin-containing fruits and nuts including strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, walnuts, and muscadine grapes. The bioavailability of ellagitannins and ellagic acid is however very low. These molecules suffer extensive metabolism by the gut microbiota to produce urolithins that are much better absorbed. Urolithins circulate in plasma as glucuronide and sulfate conjugates at concentrations in the range of 0.2-20 μ M. It is therefore conceivable that the health effects of ellagitannin-containing products can be associated with these gut-produced…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 17.66
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 57
Authors
4- JCJuan Carlos Espı́n
Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura
- MLMar Larrosa
Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura
- MGMaría‐Teresa García‐Conesa
Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura
- FAFrancisco A. Tómas‐BarberánCorresponding
Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura
Topics & keywords
- Ellagitannin
- Ellagic acid
- Polyphenol
- Chemistry
- Gut flora
- Biochemistry
- Antioxidant
- Food science