Montmorency tart cherries (MTC) are rich in polyphenols and have well-documented health benefits, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These benefits may be attributed to secondary metabolites formed from primary polyphenols, but their bioavailability in humans and their impact on short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs) biosynthesis remain inadequately studied. This secondary analysis assessed the bioavailability of MTC polyphenols, their conversion to secondary metabolites, and their effect on SCFAs in humans. Plasma and stool samples from a randomized clinical trial were analyzed using targeted triple quadrupole LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS. Analyses revealed phase II conjugates and microbial derivatives in plasma and stool, as well as SCFAs in stool. 14 plasma metabolites were identified, including conjugated forms of epicatechin and naringenin, along with microbial catabolites like 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid and isovanillic acid. Stool analysis identified 8 secondary metabolites, such as vanillic acid and 3-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid, indicating colonic microbial degradation of anthocyanins and flavan-3-ols. SCFAs (acetate, propionate, and butyrate) were quantified, revealing formulation-dependent differences between MTC juice concentrate and freeze-dried powder. MTC polyphenols are absorbed as conjugated forms and undergo extensive microbial catabolism in the colon, yielding phenolic acids and SCFAs. These results underscore the dual roles of host and microbial metabolism in the bioavailability of tart cherry polyphenols and provide initial evidence linking product formulation to SCFA production. Further studies are necessary to determine the functional relevance of these secondary metabolites.
Jawad et al. (Sun,) studied this question.