Diet supplemented with polyphenol- and glucuronoxylan-rich fiber extract regulates colonic barrier function and cell proliferation in healthy rats

A diet rich in dietary fiber and polyphenols supports the normal intestinal barrier function crucial for intestinal and overall health. Birch wood-derived fiber containing glucuronoxylans (GX)- and polyphenols have the potential in multiple food technological applications and have favorable effects on gut microbiota and colonic metabolism. However, their impact on intestinal barrier function is unknown. To elucidate their potential as new intestinal health-supporting food ingredients, we investigated the effect of GX- and polyphenol-rich extract (GXpoly) and highly purified GX-rich extract (pureGX) on the gene expression of the colon mucosa.