The effects of the intake of plant foods on the human metabolome

• Review of methodologies and databases available for these metabolomics studies.
• Some exogenous metabolites from diet as biomarkers of intake of plant foods.
• Gut microbiota metabolites were phenolic and hippuric acids from plant-food intake.
• Pathways: amino-acid metabolism > carbohydrates and lipoproteins > Krebs cycle.

We aim to provide an overview of the objectives achieved by metabolomics in relation to plant-food intake, paying attention to the new biomarkers, the influence of the gut microbiota and the modifications of the human metabolome resulting. The information included will help the design and the production of further manufactured foods with interesting health effects, hence enhancing our capacity to modulate metabolic pathways through the diet.