This dataset contains all experimental measurements generated for the study published in Food & Function (2026), which investigates how ageing alters the intestinal expression of bitter taste receptors (Tas2rs) in rats and whether a short intervention with grape-seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) can induce long-lasting physiological reprogramming.

The dataset includes raw values covering physiological, biochemical, metabolic, gene expression, microbiota and ex vivo intestinal function variables, obtained from female Wistar rats allocated into three groups: young (2 months), aged (21 months), and aged animals supplemented with GSPE for 10 days and analysed after a 75-day wash-out period.

All data required to reproduce the statistical analyses, machine-learning variable selection and partial-correlation network presented in the article are provided, allowing secondary analyses on intestinal ageing, barrier function, inflammation, metabolomics and microbiota composition.

Relation to the publication: The dataset is associated with the article:

Vilalta A., Descamps-Solà M., Sierra-Cruz M., et al. Linking intestinal bitter taste receptors and GSPE-induced long-lasting benefits in ageing rats: an integrative analysis. Food & Function. 2026;17:1336–1349.