Maastricht, Netherlands—Nutrients has published a systematic review on the effects of citrus flavonoids—specifically hesperidin and naringin, as the most abundant and active—on gut health, and found that “Evidence indicates that they are metabolized by the microbiota as well, thereby affecting their bioavailability…Studies have also shown that citrus flavanones and their metabolites are able to influence the microbiota composition and activity and exert beneficial effects on intestinal barrier function and gastrointestinal inflammation.”

Apress releasefrom BioActor notes that the review included original in-vitro and in-vivo data on MicrobiomeX, a product standardized for hesperidin and naringin. The release notes that one of the studies included was a 12-week randomized, parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that assessed the impact of MicrobiomeX on the gut microbiome composition, short-chain fatty acid production, and gut inflammation. In a group of 50 healthy subjects with low background chronic gut inflammation, MicrobiomeX significantly increased the butyrate proportion of total SCFA. Cross-talk between the flavonoids and the gut microbiome composition allowed for anti-inflammatory activity, as well.

The study concludes: “Although the exact underlying mechanisms of action are not completely clear and more research in human subjects is needed, evidence so far suggests that citrus flavanones as well as their metabolites have the potential to contribute to improved gastrointestinal function and health.”