Abstract: Edible polysaccharides have shown considerable promise in immune regulation, metabolic enhancement, and the prevention of chronic diseases, owing to their unique digestion and absorption profiles as well as their capacity to modulate the gut microbiota. However, the underlying “digestion-absorption-microbiota interaction” mechanism is not yet fully elucidated. Due to the complexity, high cost, and ethical considerations of human trials, human surrogate models have become a frontier research hotspot. This review systematically summarizes commonly used human surrogate models for studies on the digestion, absorption, and intestinal flora interaction of edible polysaccharides with respect to experimental protocols, current state of application, and recent advances. Furthermore, it critically analyzes the differences, advantages, limitations, and application in edible polysaccharide research of these models. These insights provide a new perspective and tool for nutritional research on edible polysaccharides and provide theoretical references for the development of functional foods and precise nutritional interventions based on edible polysaccharides, thereby promoting the standardized application of surrogate models in food science.

Key words: edible polysaccharides; digestion model; absorption and transport model; intestinal flora interaction model