Cold-brewed hawthorn juice ameliorates high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice by regulating gut microbiota and lipid metabolism

Obesity is a chronic, complex disease closely linked to the gut microbiota and lipid metabolism. Hawthorn, a fruit with functional nutritional value, is known to aid digestion and relieve food stagnation; however, the mechanisms by which it combats obesity remain unclear. This study established a mouse model of obesity using a high-fat diet (HFD) to investigate the functional effects of cold-brewed hawthorn juice (HAW). Key assessments included body weight gain, glucose and energy metabolism, lipid homeostasis, hepatic lipid deposition, gut microbiota diversity, and the effects of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). The results showed that HAW intervention significantly reduced HFD-induced weight gain and fat mass percentage; improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity; increased oxygen consumption and thermogenesis; alleviated lipid metabolism disorders; inhibited lipogenesis while enhancing lipid oxidation in adipose and liver tissues; and promoted thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue and inguinal white adipose tissue. Furthermore, 16S rDNA and metabolomic analyses indicated that HAW markedly reduced the Firmicutes / Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio in the gut microbiota and modulated serum metabolites, including (+)-lariciresinol, Bavachin, Ponicidin, and 4-Hydroxycordoin, thereby mitigating the onset and progression of obesity. Subsequent FMT analysis confirmed HAW's remarkable functional role in ameliorating HFD-induced obesity by modulating the abundance of Acetatifactor , Odoribacter , and Alistipes . In summary, HAW inhibits adipose tissue hypertrophy and improves hepatic lipid dysregulation by regulating the gut microbiota and lipid metabolism, thereby effectively ameliorating HFD-induced obesity in mice. These findings provide systematic scientific insights into daily functional fruit dietary interventions and health management for people with obesity.