Polyphenols, plant-derived secondary metabolites, play crucial roles in plant stress
responses, growth regulation, and environmental interactions. In humans, polyphenols
are associated with various health benefits, particularly in cardiometabolic health.
Despite growing evidence of polyphenols' health-promoting effects, their mechanisms
remain poorly understood due to high interindividual variability in bioavailability
and metabolism. Recent research highlights the bidirectional relationship between
dietary polyphenols and the gut microbiota, which can influence polyphenol metabolism
and, conversely, be modulated by polyphenol intake. In this concise review, we summarized
recent advances in this area, with a special focus on isoflavones and ellagitannins
and their corresponding metabotypes, and their effect on cardiovascular health. Human
observational studies published in the past 10 years provide evidence for a consistent
association of isoflavones and ellagitannins and their metabotypes with better cardiovascular
risk factors. However, interventional studies with dietary polyphenols or isolated
microbial metabolites indicate that the polyphenol-gut microbiota interrelationship
is complex and not yet fully elucidated. Finally, we highlighted various pending research
questions that will help identify effective targets for intervention with precision
nutrition, thus maximizing individual responses to dietary and lifestyle interventions
and improving human health.
