Ripe Pu‘’er tea, as a post-fermented tea, not only has a unique flavor, but is also believed to have a positive effect on intestinal flora.
In recent years, more and more studies have shown that the health care effect of tea can be attributed to the functional components in tea, which can improve the structure and health of intestinal flora.
The scientific research team of TAETEA No. 7 Institute reviewed the research progress of Pu'er tea on regulating intestinal flora, and published it in the journal "Food and Fermentation Industry"
The intestinal tract is the largest micro-ecosystem in the human body. About 1,000 species of bacteria live in the human intestinal tract, so the intestinal flora is also regarded as the second genome of human beings.
The intestinal flora includes symbiotic bacteria, conditional pathogens and pathogenic bacteria. They are in a dynamic balance relationship, have a certain impact on the metabolic health of the human body, and participate in the regulation of many common diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic liver disease , irritable bowel syndrome, cardiometabolic diseases and autoimmune diseases, the occurrence of these diseases is accompanied by the disturbance of intestinal flora.
So, having an orderly, healthy and balanced gut flora helps us maintain a healthy state.
Studies have shown that Pu'er tea can alleviate or treat a variety of metabolic diseases by changing the composition and diversity of intestinal flora, such as improving obesity, intestinal inflammation, diabetes, etc.
At present, most of the research on Pu’er tea and the health of intestinal flora focuses on the water extract of Pu’er tea. Due to the unique processing method of post-fermentation, Pu’er ripe tea has a different flavor and taste from other teas, and it also makes it The chemical substances contained in tea have changed, including the reduction of catechins and amino acids, the obvious increase of theabrownin, tea polysaccharides and gallic acid, and the formation of some new substances such as Pu'er tea.
Theabrownin
Theabrownin is a kind of water-soluble phenolic pigment in Puer tea. It increases significantly during the fermentation process and is considered to be the characteristic component of Pu’er tea.
Studies have shown that theabrownin can reduce the abundance of intestinal bacteria producing bile salt hydrolyzing enzymes and the activity of bile salt hydrolyzing enzymes, thereby reducing cholesterol and lipids. At the same time, it can change intestinal flora, especially increase 7-dehydroxyl Bacteroides such as Akkermansia muciniphila, Clostridium difficile, and Parabacteroides distirii shift bile acid biosynthesis from the classical pathway to the alternative pathway, thereby improving energy metabolism in white and brown adipose tissue to improve obesity.In addition, theabrownin can improve diabetes, metabolic syndrome and aging by regulating intestinal flora.
Fermented Tea Polyphenols
Tea polyphenols have always been considered as the main functional components in tea and have strong antioxidant activity. Studies have found that more than 80% of tea polyphenols cannot be directly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, but reach the colon and interact with intestinal flora effect.
Some studies suggest that oxidized tea polyphenols may be the functional components of Pu-erh tea. Oxidized tea polyphenols can restore the intestinal microbial community structure induced by high fat in mice, significantly reduce harmful bacteria such as Sartreria and Desulfovibrio, and increase the Beneficial bacteria such as Akkermansia mucini and Bifidobacterium, in addition, oxidized tea polyphenols can restore the expression levels of intestinal barrier integrity genes Muc2, Occludin and ZO-1 to varying degrees, and repair intestinal barrier function.
tea polysaccharide
Studies have confirmed that the polysaccharides of Fuzhuan brick tea, which is also a post-fermented tea, can pass through the digestive system without being decomposed, reach the large intestine safely, and be decomposed and utilized by the intestinal flora. Relative abundance, promoting the production of short-chain fatty acids to play a role in improving metabolic syndrome. Tea polysaccharides can also improve colitis by regulating the metabolism of intestinal microbial tryptophan and promoting the regeneration of intestinal epithelial cells.
Through the above introduction, we can see that there is a close relationship between Puer tea and intestinal flora. Theabrownin and tea polyphenols in Pu'er tea can promote the growth of probiotics and inhibit the reproduction of harmful bacteria, thereby regulating the balance of intestinal flora. Therefore, drinking Pu’er tea in moderation, combined with a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle can help maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora and improve overall health.