Recent advances in wolfberry polysaccharides and whey protein-based biopolymers for regulating the diversity of gut microbiota and its mechanism: A review

Imbalances in gut microbiota diversity are associated with various health issues, including obesity and related disorders. There is a growing interest in developing synergistic biopolymers based on wolfberry polysaccharides and whey protein to address these problems due to their potential health benefits. This review explores recent advances in understanding how functional foods based on Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) and whey protein (WP) influence gut microbiota diversity and their underlying mechanisms. We examine the impact of these biopolymers on microbial composition and functionality, focusing on their roles in improving health by regulating gut microbiota. The combined effects of WP and LBP significantly enhance gut microbiome metabolic activities and taxonomic diversity, offering promising avenues for treating obesity and related disorders.