Spices for Targeting the Gut Microbiome to Improve Cardiometabolic Health

The intricate balance between the gut microbial ecosystem and cardiometabolic health underscores the importance of cultivating a healthy gut microbiome. A noteworthy strategy for harnessing the potential of this ecosystem is the consumption of prebiotics-non-digestible compounds promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria. While dietary polyphenols are emerging as significant modulators of microbial proliferation and systemic therapeutic effects, the prebiotic functionality of spice polyphenols remains understudied. It is, however, hypothesized that metabolism of spice polyphenols by intrinsic microflora in the colon may elicit downstream cardiometabolic effects resulting from the stimulated release of gut-derived metabolites, specifically short-chain fatty acids. This brief article highlights research on the functionality of spices, namely cinnamon and ginger, to influence microbial proliferation, the production of gut-derived metabolites and hormones, and prospective health outcomes.