Polyphenols, Gut Microbiota, and Exercise Triad Supports Performance

Polyphenols are bioactive compounds commonly found in foods like fruits, vegetables, and cocoa. These compounds have the potential to impact the gut microbiota and metabolism to support exercise and recovery through both direct and indirect mechanisms. The purpose of this narrative review is to present evidence for a triad relationship between polyphenolic compounds, the gut microbiome, and exercise. This was achieved by reviewing and summarizing mechanistic and human intervention study outcomes to elucidate how polyphenols influence the triad relationship. Polyphenols exert a prebiotic effect, increasing the abundance of beneficial exercise-related microbiota such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Lactobacillus spp. Beyond these prebiotic effects, polyphenols may directly attenuate exercise induced inflammation, support gastrointestinal integrity, and improve endothelial function, potentially enhancing endurance performance and recovery. Indirectly, polyphenols may influence substrate utilization through adipose tissue beiging and increase fat oxidation. The gut microbiota also modulates effects of polyphenols on exercise outcomes through the production of beneficial microbial metabolites, such as short chain fatty acids, which have been shown to support exercise outcomes by promoting intestinal gluconeogenesis and reducing pro-inflammatory pathways. Overall, current evidence suggests that polyphenols may serve as a promising nutritional strategy to support exercise performance, recovery, and overall metabolic health through interactions with the gut microbiota.