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Updated: Jan 2, 2026

An In Vitro Batch-culture Model to Estimate the Effects of Interventional Regimens on Human Fecal Microbiota
Published on: July 31, 2019
Interactions of tea catechins with intestinal microbiota and their implication for human health
Tongtong Guo1, Dan Song1, Lu Cheng2
11Department of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211 People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Tea catechins have attracted strong interests in pharmacological field for their extensive biological activities; however, their bioavailability in vivo is relatively low. Recent studies have shown tea catechins can modulate the composition of intestinal microbiota and help to improve hosts' health. Meanwhile, the gut flora plays a crucial role in regulating the production of the metabolites of tea catechins and their biological activity. Although the activities of tea catechins to promote intestinal micro-ecology have been extensively studied, little is known about the two-way phenol-microbial interactions. This review focuses on the modulatory effect of tea catechins on intestinal microbiota as well as the microbial degradation of tea catechins and the metabolites formed. Finally, the potential effects of tea catechins on chronic intestinal inflammation are emphasized.
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