Application Potential of Ellagic Acid in Functional Food

Abstract:

Ellagic acid, a natural polyphenol, exists widely in plants and fruit tissue. It is mainly absorbed in the stomach and small intestine and produces multiple urolithins such as urolithin M5 and urolithin M6 under the metabolism of intestinal flora. With antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-aging, antimicrobial, blood glucose-lowering and other pharmacological effects, ellagic acid have important application and research value in the fields of functional food and medicine. The extraction methods, metabolism mechanisms, and pharmacological effects of ellagic acid and its application in functional food were reviewed. The difficulties in the application of ellagic acid in functional food were elucidated, and the future research focus was put forward. This review aims to provide a theoretical basis for the development and application of ellagic acid in functional food.