Beneficial Roles of Bioconversion-Derived Metabolites of Dietary Components as Potential Biological Regulators in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are associated with alterations in gut microbial composition and host nutrient metabolism, both of which can modify the bioconversion of dietary compounds. Consequently, identical dietary substrates may generate distinct metabolite profiles, leading to different physiological responses. Emerging evidence suggests that many biological effects of dietary compounds are mediated, in part, by metabolites generated through host and microbial bioconversion. These metabolites regulate key pathways involved in oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling, glucose metabolism, and gut barrier integrity. Altered bioconversion efficiency observed in obesity and type 2 diabetes may therefore influence metabolic outcomes by altering the quantity and composition of bioactive metabolites. This review summarizes current evidence on the metabolic effects of bioconversion-derived metabolites generated from dietary components and discusses their underlying molecular mechanisms in obesity and type 2 diabetes. By focusing on metabolites generated through dietary bioconversion rather than dietary substrates alone, this review proposes a metabolite-centered framework for understanding variability in dietary responses and identifying metabolically relevant targets for future nutritional interventions.