Strawberries are rich in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are increasingly recognized as potential health-promoting factors. This study explored the health effects of intaking strawberry VOC extract and its dominant terpene, linalool. The results indicated that linalool and strawberry VOC extract significantly increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus, Bacillus, and Alistipes in mice. Moreover, mice treated with linalool and strawberry VOC extract exhibited notable reductions in serum pro-inflammatory cytokines; interleukin IL-6 decreased by 14.5% and 21.8%, respectively, while IL-1β levels decreased by 9.6% and 13.4%, respectively. Triglyceride levels in the treated groups were reduced by 38.3% and 58.1%, respectively. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that Bacillus negatively correlated with glucolipid indices, and Bifidobacterium and Dubosiella negatively correlated with inflammatory factors, indicating that alterations in glucolipid metabolism might be associated with the regulation of gut microbiota and systemic inflammation. Display omitted •Linalool was the dominant type of volatile terpene in strawberries.•Linalool increased the percentage of beneficial bacteria in the guts of mice.•Linalool inhibited the level of IgA, IgG, IL-1β, IL-6, while promoting IL-10.•Linalool affected glycolipid mainly by lowering TG, TCHO, and INS.•The effects on metabolic parameters linked to gut microbiota alterations.