The Multiple Benefits of Plant-Derived Polysaccharides: From Gut to Overall Health

• The coevolution of gut microbiota with hosts plays a crucial role in the regulation of human diseases. • The consumption of plant-derived polysaccharides influences the composition of gut microbiota and produces metabolites that impact the physiology of the host. • The connection between plant-derived polysaccharides, gut microbiota, and individual health has been established, yet the underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. The established relationship between gut microbiota (GM) and host health continues to be substantiated by growing evidence linking GM dysbiosis to the pathogenesis of numerous diseases. Compared to other phytochemicals, the safety profile of plant-derived polysaccharides (PDPs) is widely recognized. Most naturally indigestible PDPs undergo extensive microbial metabolism within the gut, demonstrating prebiotic potential in both disease and non-disease states. This review focuses on the interactions among PDPs, GM and host health. We first introduce causative factors and extent of GM dysbiosis. Subsequently, we examine the regulatory capacity of PDPs in mitigating dysbiosis and modulating GM-derived metabolites. Finally, based on the current research, we summarize representative studies on PDPs targeting GM to modulate pathological conditions in the body and discuss the challenges and prospects in this field. In conclusion, this review provides compelling evidence that GM is a key regulatory factor for the functional effects of natural PDPs, offering new insights for the future use of PDPs as prebiotic interventions in related diseases, as well as in the development of functional foods and pharmaceuticals.