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Impact of Low-Dose Cranberry Polyphenols on Gut Microbiota and Circulating Polyphenol Metabolites in Overweight and

Maria Jocelyn Chicas Castellon1, Min Ji Jang1, Maritza Sirven Diaz1

  • 1Department of Food Science and Technology Texas A&M University College Station Texas USA.

Food Science & Nutrition
|June 8, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Cranberry polyphenols enhance polyphenol metabolism and alter gut bacteria in overweight adults. Specific bacteria like Eggerthella increased, potentially linking gut microbes to health benefits from cranberry intake.

Area of Science:

  • Nutritional Science
  • Microbiome Research
  • Metabolomics

Background:

  • Cranberry polyphenols are minimally metabolized before reaching the colon.
  • Interactions between cranberry polyphenols and gut microbiota can yield bioactive metabolites.
  • Limited human studies explore combined microbial and systemic metabolic effects of cranberry intake, especially in metabolically at-risk populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of cranberry polyphenol consumption on gut microbiota composition and serum/urinary polyphenol metabolites in overweight/obese adults.
  • To explore potential microbe-metabolite relationships associated with cranberry intake.

Main Methods:

  • A 6-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study involving 45 overweight or obese adults.
  • Participants consumed either cranberry juice (54.5 mg/day total polyphenols) or a placebo.
  • Analysis included UPLC-MS/MS for polyphenol metabolites and 16S rRNA gene sequencing for gut microbiota.

Main Results:

  • Cranberry consumption significantly increased serum and urinary concentrations of catechol-O-sulfate and 4-hydroxyhippuric acid.
  • No overall change in gut microbial alpha diversity, but increased richness in obese participants and females.
  • Associated with increased abundance of Anaerostipes, Eubacterium hallii group, and Eggerthella, with Eggerthella appearing post-consumption in some participants.

Conclusions:

  • Cranberry intake enhances polyphenol absorption and metabolism in overweight/obese adults.
  • Cranberry consumption may modulate gut microbiota composition, with specific bacterial groups like Eggerthella showing increased abundance.
  • Findings suggest a potential microbe-metabolite association requiring further functional validation.
Keywords:
Eggerthellaclinical interventioncranberrygut microbiotametabolomicsmicrobe–metabolite interactionpolyphenols

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