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Dietary fibers (DFs) regulate host health through various mechanisms related to their dietary sources, specific physicochemical structures, fermentability, and physiological properties in the gut. Considering the numerous types and sources of DFs and their different physicochemical and physiological properties, it is challenging yet important to establish the key mechanisms for the beneficial health effects of DFs. In this review, the types and structures of DFs from different fruits and vegetables were summarized and the effects of different processing methods on DF properties were discussed. Moreover, the impacts of DFs on gut microbial ecology, host physiology, and health were described. Understanding the complex interaction between different DFs and gut microbiota is vital for personalized nutrition. It is also important to comprehend factors influencing gut microbiota and strategies to regulate the microbiota, thereby augmenting beneficial health responses. The exploration of molecular mechanism linking DFs, gut microbiota, and host physiology may allow for the identification of effective targets to fight against major chronic diseases.

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Naringin, a major flavonoid in citrus, has potential for preventing atherosclerosis. The presence in the colon of a large amount of naringin after oral intake might affect the gut microbiota. We investigated the role of gut microbiota remodeling in the alleviation of atherosclerosis by naringin. Naringin significantly alleviated atherosclerosis and lowered the serum and liver cholesterol levels by 24.04 and 28.37% in ApoE −/− mice fed with a high-fat diet. Nontarget metabolomics showed that naringin modulated the hepatic levels of cholesterol derivatives and bile acids. Naringin increased the excretion of bile acids and neutral sterols by 1.6-and 4.3-fold, respectively. The main potential pathway by which naringin alleviated atherosclerosis was the gut microbiota−liver− cholesterol axis. Naringin modulated the abundances of bile salt hydrolase-and 7α-dehydroxylase-producing bacteria, promoting bile acid synthesis from cholesterol by upregulating CYP7A1 via suppression of the FXR/FGF15 pathway. In addition, naringin facilitated reverse cholesterol transport by downregulating PCSK9/IDOL. The results provide insight into the atherosclerosisalleviation mechanisms of citrus flavonoids and a scientific basis for the development of functional foods containing citrus flavonoids.

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Polysaccharide chromium (III) derivatives are gaining increasing attention in improving type 2 diabetes. In this study, the sulfated polysaccharide from Enteromorpha prolifera (SPE) with 4.8 kDa was prepared by specific enzymatic hydrolysis. The obtained SPE was used to prepare a rhamnan-type sulfated polysaccharide derivative (SPED). Results indicated that O-H, C=O, and S=O were effectively involved in the chelation of SPED (chromium content 20.26%). Acute (half lethal dose > 2.38 g/kg) and sub-acute toxicity showed that SPED had no damaging effects on mice. Anti-diabetic experiment demonstrated that SPED improved glucose metabolism. Moreover, SPED promoted the PI3K/PKB/GSK-3β signaling pathway by regulating mRNA expression of insulin receptors (IR), insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS-2), phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (PKB), and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β). In conclusion, the SPED might represent a novel marine-derived candidate against hyperglycemia, which may undergo further pharmaceutical development as a hypoglycemic agent.