Thermal degradation of (2R, 3R)-dihydromyricetin in neutral aqueous solution at 100 ℃

•The thermal degradation of dihydromyricetin (DMY) in neutral aqueous solution (pH 7) at 100 °C was explored.•Degradation mechanisms of DMY included isomerization, oxidation, hydroxylation, dimerization and ring cleavage.•The thermal treatment of DMY reduced the antioxidant activity of DMY.•The thermal treatment of DMY destroyed the beneficial effect of DMY on the gut microbiota composition.