Abstract: The intestinal microbiota is involved in the development of metabolic syndromes including insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, central obesity and hypertension, which can progress into metabolic diseases. Plant polyphenols can promote the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria and indirectly reduce the number of pathogenic bacteria. Moreover, the intestinal microbiota can metabolize high-molecular-mass plant polyphenols into metabolites with stronger bioactivity, improving their bioavailability. The interaction between plant polyphenols and the intestinal microbiota and their effects on metabolic diseases are reviewed in this paper, which will provide a reference for the utilization of plant polyphenols.

Key words: plant polyphenols; intestinal microbiota; metabolic diseases; metabolic syndromes; obesity