Collagen-derived peptides as prebiotics to improve gut health

Collagen peptides (CPs) derived from different food sources can act as a nitrogen or carbon source for gut microbiota, thereby generating fermentation products that play a prebiotic role in maintaining human health. This review summarizes the potential of prebiotic activity of CPs to regulate gut microbiota as well as their action mechanisms. CPs can exhibit a prebiotic activity by interacting with gut microbiota, which can reduce symptoms associated with metabolic diseases through production of short-chain fatty acids and branched-chain fatty acids. In addition, the type and source of CPs, molecular weight, amino acid composition, and the extent of digestion and absorption in the body can impact the prebiotic activity of CPs. Overall, CPs have a prebiotic potential in the human microbiota.