Chapter 6: Pharmacokinetics

With the recently increased accessibility of synthetic reference standards, advanced mass spectrometry platforms, and evidence from isotopically labeled ‘tracer’ and ileostomy studies, a comprehensive understanding of anthocyanin bioavailability is coming to fruition. The once general belief that anthocyanins are poorly absorbed has been disproven as recent studies have revealed significant absorption of microbial-derived anthocyanin metabolites, identifying a much higher bioavailability than previously reported. Correspondingly, anthocyanin research is undergoing a paradigm shift, focusing on microbial-driven anthocyanin pharmacokinetics, the impact of anthocyanins on microbiome diversity, and the differential bioactivity of microbial-derived metabolites.