Mechanism of tea polyphenols improving sleep by regulating neurotransmitters through the gut microbiota–brain axis

Tea polyphenols may reshape the gut microbiota by enriching beneficial bacteria and suppressing pathogenic species.

• Tea polyphenols could enhance sleep quality by interacting with the gut microbiota.
• They are associated with increased levels of beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
• Tea polyphenols may improve intestinal barrier integrity and reduce systemic inflammation.
• Gut microbiota can metabolize tea polyphenols into small molecules that enter the bloodstream.
• These metabolites may cross the blood-brain barrier and influence neurotransmitters such as serotonin and GABA.

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