Polyphenols and intestinal permeability : rationale and future perspectives

Increasing evidence links intestinal permeability (IP), a feature of the intestinal barrier (IB), to several pathological or dysfunctional conditions. Several host and environmental factors, including dietary factors, can affect the maintenance of normal IP. In this regard, food bioactives such as polyphenols have been proposed as potential IP modulators even if the mechanisms involved are not fully elucidated yet. The aim of the present paper is to provide a short overview of the main evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies supporting the role of polyphenols in modulating IP and briefly discuss future perspectives in this research area.