Pilot Haskap Metabolite Timing Project

Diet is a key factor in managing health and individuals at risk of developing metabolic syndrome or other chronic diseases have the opportunity to use diet as a tool to improve their health. This can be complicated when considering the numerous variables that impact digestion and absorption of key health-promoting compounds in foods. One of these variables is the gut microbiome, a microbial community in the digestive tract that interacts with the foods we consume. The mechanisms the microbiome uses to interact with bioactive compounds in foods, like polyphenols, can modulate the health-promoting benefits of polyphenols. Polyphenols are secondary plant metabolites, commonly found in fruit, legumes, chocolate, coffee, and nuts among other foods that have been shown to improve cardiovascular and metabolic health, as well as reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.