INVITED REVIEW Beneficial Effect of Potato Consumption on Gut Microbiota and Intestinal Epithelial Health Shima Bibi 1 & Duroy A. Navarre 2 & Xiaofei Sun 1 & Min Du 3 & Barbara Rasco 1 & Mei-Jun Zhu 1 # The Potato Association of America 2019 Abstract Diet plays an important role in shaping the gut microbiota, which has been called “a separate organ” due to its profound effects on host health. Potato, being a rich source of phytonutrients and bioactive food components, becomes a functional food for improving gut microbiota and gut health. Potato phytonutrients and bioactive food components contribute to gastrointestinal health through direct interactions with the epithelium or indirectly through modulation of the gut microbiota, and microbially derived metabolites, such as short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). In addition, gut microbiota degrade polyphenols and phytonutrients, and increase their bioavailability and thus the functionality of complex macronutrients. This review discusses the potential role of potato in shaping gut microbiota, strengthening intestinal epithelial barrier function, and thereby improving gastrointestinal health. Resumen La dieta juega un papel importante en la conformación de la microbiota intestinal, a la que se le ha llamado “un órgano separado”, debido a sus profundos efectos en la salud del hospedante. La papa, siendo una fuente rica de fitonutrientes y de componentes alimenticios bioactivos, se convierte en un alimento funcional para el mejoramiento de la microbiota del intestino y su salud. Los fitonutrientes de la papa y los componentes alimenticios bioactivos, contribuyen a la salud gastrointestinal a través de interacciones directas con el epitelio, o indirectamente por vía de la modulación de la microbiota intestinal y metabolitos derivados microbialmente, tales como ácidos grasos de cadena corta (SCFAs). Además, la microbiota intestinal degrada polifenoles y fitonutrientes, y aumenta su biodisponibilidad, y en consecuencia, la funcionalidad de macronutrientes complejos. Esta revisión discute el papel potencial de la papa en la conformación de la microbiota intestinal, reforzando la función de barrera epitelial intestinal, y por ende, mejorando la salud gastrointestinal. Keywords Gut microbiota . Intestinal health . Phytochemicals . Potato . Short chain fatty acids Introduction The gut microbiota forms a diverse resident microbial com- munity that is essential to health. Its composition and abun- dance vary with the region of the gut. This resident commu- nity plays important roles in health and metabolism. The microbial ecosystem in the gut is dynamic and influenced by genetics, location in the intestinal tract, health condition and age, medication and supplements, diet and many other factors. Diet is a key mediator in shaping gut microbiota composition and influencing gut community function (Graf et al. 2015). Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), an important staple food, is a rich source of nutrients including complex carbohydrates (di- gestion resistant and non-resistant starches), proteins, dietary fibers, polyphenols, vitamins and minerals (Camire et al. 2009). Potato contains a high level of many phenolics, such as chlorogenic acid (all potato types) (Mattila and Hellström 2007) and anthocyanins (colored-flesh potatoes) (Reyes et al. 2005). The anthocyanins in potato are typically acetylated, making them more stable than anthocyanins in other foods (Eichhorn and Winterhalter 2005; Xiao and Hogger 2015). * Mei-Jun Zhu meijun.zhu@wsu.edu 1 School of Food Science, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA 2 USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Prosser, WA 99350, USA 3 Department of Animal Science, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA American Journal of Potato Research https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-018-09706-3