Green Tea and Its Relation to Human Gut Microbiome

Abstract

Green tea can influence the gut microbiota by either stimulating the growth of specific species or by hindering the development of detrimental ones. At the same time, gut bacteria can metabolize green tea compounds and produce smaller bioactive molecules. Accordingly, green tea benefits could be due to beneficial bacteria or to microbial bioactive metabolites. Therefore, the gut microbiota is likely to act as middle man for, at least, some of the green tea benefits on health. Many health promoting effects of green tea seems to be related to the inter-relation between green tea and gut microbiota. Green tea has proven to be able to correct the microbial dysbiosis that appears during several conditions such as obesity or cancer. On the other hand, tea compounds influence the growth of bacterial species involved in inflammatory processes such as the release of LPS or the modulation of IL production; thus, influencing the development of different chronic diseases. There are many studies trying to link either green tea or green tea phenolic compounds to health benefits via gut microbiota. In this review, we tried to summarize the most recent research in the area.

Impact of the Gastrointestinal Tract Microbiota on Cardiovascular Health and Pathophysiology

“…184 Furthermore, green tea consumption, because of its content of polyphenolic compounds, is linked with positive impacts on the microbiome (see also section H 2 S Metabolism and Signaling Pathways ). 185…”

“…184 Furthermore, green tea consumption, because of its content of polyphenolic compounds, is linked with positive impacts on the microbiome (see also section H 2 S Metabolism and Signaling Pathways). 185 Exercise along with diet interventions can have significant impact on the microbiota. After such intervention for 6 weeks, the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio displayed a marked increase which was found to reduce the resting heart rate without changing systolic or diastolic blood pressure in adolescents with obesity.…”

Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Immunomodulatory Properties of Tea—The Positive Impact of Tea Consumption on Patients with Autoimmune Diabetes

“…As autoimmune disorders are closely related to inflammation (studies emphasize the role of T cells as the primary factors connecting inflammation and autoimmune pathology) [169], it can be assumed that as inflammation markers are lowered due to the consumption of tea or polyphenols isolated therefrom, the organism's immune sensitivity is also decreased. It has been demonstrated that green tea can correct microbial dysbiosis, influencing the growth of bacteria contributing to inflammatory states by facilitating the development of beneficial bacteria, inhibiting the growth of harmful ones, or increasing the production of desirable metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids [170]. Short-chain fatty acids show anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties [171].…”

Tea Polyphenols as Prospective Natural Attenuators of Brain Aging

“…TP increases the diversity of the intestinal microbiota, improves the number of beneficial microflora and inhibits some pathogenic strains. This interaction between TP and the intestinal microbiota contributes to the relief and alleviation of intestinal-related diseases [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. TP can also be decomposed into different metabolites by microflora in the colon, many of which have higher anti-inflammatory activity and bioavailability than their precursors [ 11 , 12 , 14 ].…”