Evidence mapPaperPMID 42176172Full record

ReviewFolia microbiologica2026

Gut microbiome-mediated bioactive ingredients and health benefits of medicinal and edible fermented products: A comprehensive review.

Chuntian Liu, Song Zhang, Qiulin Yue, Xin Sun, Kai Zheng, Kunlun Li, Le Su, Lin Zhao

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Folia microbiologica, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Chuntian LiuState Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, School of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan, 250353, China.
Song ZhangState Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, School of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan, 250353, China.
Qiulin YueState Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, School of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan, 250353, China.
Xin SunState Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, School of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan, 250353, China.
Kai ZhengState Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, School of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan, 250353, China.
Kunlun LiShandong Jicui Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Jinan, P.R. China.
Le SuState Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, School of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan, 250353, China. sule@sdu.edu.cn.
Lin ZhaoState Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, School of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan, 250353, China. iahb205@163.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Fermented foods and beverages represent dynamic biological ecosystems that integrate microbial communities, bioactive metabolites, and host interactions to promote health across nutritional, functional, and therapeutic domains. This comprehensive narrative review synthesizes current evidence on medicinal and edible fermented products, focusing on their bioactive generation, molecular mechanisms, and systemic health outcomes mediated by the gut microbiome. Fermentation processes, driven by lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, and mixed consortia, transform substrates into 31 key bioactives, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), bioactive peptides, exopolysaccharides (EPS), and modified polyphenols. These compounds arise through microbial proteolysis, glycolysis, and biotransformation, enhancing bioavailability and functionality compared to unfermented counterparts. Mechanistically, bioactives strengthen gut barrier integrity via tight-junction upregulation and mucin production; modulate immunity through Toll-like receptor activation and T-cell differentiation; regulate metabolism by improving glucose/lipid profiles; and mitigate inflammation via NF-κB inhibition and Nrf2 activation. Gut microbiota-host crosstalk extends these effects systemically, influencing the gut-brain axis and extra-intestinal organs. Epidemiological and clinical data link regular consumption particularly of yogurt, kimchi, and kefir-to reduced risks of colorectal cancer (dose-response patterns), type 2 diabetes (8-15% HbA1c reductions), cardiovascular disease (5-10% cholesterol lowering), and enhanced immune resilience (20-35% fewer infections). Benefits also encompass gastrointestinal health (IBS symptom relief), neuroprotection (cognitive improvements), and cancer prevention. Despite promising findings, challenges persist in standardization, microbial viability during processing, and long-term human trials. Future directions emphasize multi-omics integration, AI-driven precision fermentation, and personalized interventions to validate fermented products as evidence-based therapeutics, bridging traditional practices with modern nutrition science.

Indexed as

Bioactive compoundsFermented foodsGut microbiotaHealth benefitsMetabolic regulationPrecision nutritionProbiotics

Identifiers

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.