Flavor molecules regulate appetite through the gut-brain Axis: An emerging perspective.

Bioactive flavor molecules (e.g., eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, capsaicin) regulate appetite and energy metabolism via the gut-brain axis, yet their multi-target mechanisms lack integration. This review distills three core regulatory pathways: 1. enhancing beneficial microbiota and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production to stimulate satiety hormones; 2. targeting olfactory and chemo-receptors to amplify satiety signals; and 3. modulating neurotransmitters (γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine) to integrate hedonic and homeostatic control. Unlike fragmented single-component studies, this review uniquely synthesizes the synergistic actions of these molecules across microbial, endocrine, and neural networks. These molecules serve as multifunctional gut-brain modulators, offering novel strategies for microbiota-targeted functional foods.