Figure 1.

Highly simplified metabolic pathways involved in the absorption and metabolism of polyphenols. Phenolics = hydroxycinnamic acids. Chlorogenic acids and hesperidin are poorly absorbed intact, and so their attached organic acids and sugars, respectively, are efficiently removed by the gut microbiota. Deglycosylation is catalysed by brush border enzymes, especially lactase phlorizin hydrolase, and is most efficient when glucose is attached. Conjugates circulating post‐prandially in blood may be with methyl, glucuronic acid and/or sulphate groups.