Gut Microbiota

Gut bug imbalance could help disease prevention, suggests study

20-Mar-2017 By Will Chu

A gut flora imbalance caused by a high-fat diet might help protect healthy people from the metabolic effects of unhealthy diets, a study says.

Pear pomace fibre aids weight loss by boosting gut microbiota: China study

07-Mar-2017 By Millette Burgos

A new study showed insoluble dietary fibre (IDF) from pear pomace can prevent obesity and reduce damage caused by a high-fat diet, with researchers believing it does so by improving gut microbiota.

Prebiotics in early life may boost sleep and daytime rhythms: Study

30-Jan-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementing the early life diet with prebiotics may boost the growth of selective bacteria in the gut and alleviate sleep disruptions caused by stress, says a new study.

10TH WORLD CONGRESS ON POLYPHENOL APPLICATIONS

3 berry interesting ideas about polyphenols

22-Jul-2016 By Will Chu

The elderberry may play a larger role than previously thought in counteracting the decline in neuronal and cognitive functions, particularly in Alzheimer’s disease, according to research presented at the 10th World congress on Polyphenol Applications...

Gut–brain axis linked again to obesity in Yale study

16-Jun-2016 By Will Chu

A mechanism of action that may explain how changes to the gut microbiota cause obesity in humans has been discovered by researchers at Yale University.

Nestlé invests €9m in microbiome research

03-Jun-2016 By Lynda Searby

Nestlé and Imperial College London (ICL) are kicking off their new nutritional science partnership by investigating how fibre consumption can improve metabolic health, mental performance and digestive health in seniors.

Endurance exercise and gut microbiota? A review explores the relationship

27-May-2016 By Adi Menayang

There have only been a couple dozen studies since 2007 that look at how gut microbiota and endurance exercise relate. A meta-analysis reveals promising benefits, but calls for more research in the area.

Gut-brain axis uses immune system to ‘talk,’ study shows

23-May-2016 By Will Chu

The gut microbiome and the brain communicate to each other via the immune system, a study has shown as researchers delve deeper into the so-called 'gut-brain axis'. 

Resveratrol’s heart health benefits linked to gut microbiota changes

18-Apr-2016 By Stephen Daniells

The potential cardiovascular benefits of resveratrol may be linked to its ability to preferentially alter the gut microbiome, suggests a new study with lab mice.

Gut microbiota sensitive to iron replacement say scientists

19-Feb-2016 By Louisa Richards

Iron replacement therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease alters gut microbiota depending on how it is administered, suggest scientists. 

XOS alters microbiome of pre diabetic individuals in study

27-Jan-2016 By Hank Schultz

In a UCLA study on xylooligosaccharide the prebiotic fiber showed the potential for altering the gut microbiome of pre diabetic individuals.

Researchers look at lasting effects of early-life exercise on gut microbes, brain health & metabolism

07-Jan-2016 By Louisa Richards

The immature gut may be more sensitive to environmental influences and provide a 'window of opportunity' for better health, say researchers behind a study in rats. 

Microbiota influences impact of dietary strategies for blood sugar: Study

12-Nov-2015 By Louisa Richards

People with better control of blood sugar after eating barley kernel bread also have a different balance of microbes in the gut, a new study in Cell Metabolism reveals.

Gut bacteria play vital role in benefits and harms of different fats: Mouse data

31-Aug-2015 By Nathan Gray

The impact of different dietary fats on our health may be mediated by the changes the cause in our gut bacteria ecosystem, according to new research. 

Prebiotics improve gut microbiota in obese kids: Study

03-Aug-2015 By Stephen Daniells

A prebiotic-rich diet may shift the gut microbiota profiles of obese children to a more beneficial profile, regardless of whether the obesity was related to lifestyle or genetics, says a study from an international team of researchers.

Prebiotic boosts healthy elderly immune systems: Study

30-Jul-2015 By Shane STARLING

A proprietary prebiotic blend can deliver immune system benefits to the healthy elderly better than placebo, an industry-backed study in the UK has found.

LGG may ‘transiently’ boost anti-inflammatory functions in the gut microbiota: Human data

14-Jul-2015 By Stephen Daniells

The probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103 may not change the host’s gut microbiota but may stimulate anti-inflammatory activities of microbes already resident, says a new study.

High-fat diets may change gut microflora and signals to the brain: Rat data

13-Jul-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

A high-fat diet may affect the bacterial populations in the gut and detrimentally affect satiety signaling to the brain, says a new study using lab rats.

Medical Nutrition

Tailored gut microbiota holds promise for lethal ammonia in liver disease: Mouse data

24-Jun-2015 By Nathan Gray

Altering the bacterial make-up of the gut could help to reduce potentially lethal high circulating levels of ammonia in people with liver disease, say researchers.

Garlic compounds may boost cardio health indirectly via gut microbiota

26-May-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Allicin from garlic may prevent the metabolism of unabsorbed L-carnitine or choline into TMAO, a compound linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, says a new study from the National Taiwan University.

Psychobiotics: Modulation of gut microbiota may ‘hold the key to’ neuropsychological disorders

15-May-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Using probiotics and prebiotics to alter the gut microbiota and influence the gut-brain axis may open up new ways of influencing neuropsychological conditions, says a new review.

Gut microbiota shifts could predict diabetes risk, suggests study

06-Mar-2015 By Nathan Gray

The composition of our microbiota may change through the development of pre-diabetes and diabetes, thus predicting risk and potentially leading to new ways to aid blood sugar management, say researchers.

L-glutamine may alter gut microbiota to resemble changes seen in weight loss programs

30-Jan-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements of L-glutamine may alter the composition of the gut microbiota in obese people, and shift it towards a profile seen in leaner individuals, says a new study from Brazil.

Microbiome modification could prevent metabolic syndrome: Mouse data

26-Nov-2014 By Nathan Gray

Promoting healthy gut microbiota could help to prevent and even reverse metabolic syndrome, according to new research.

Quote/unquote: Gut health, sports nutrition, and curcumin - The best of Bénéfiq 2014

26-Sep-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

We headed to Quebec City this week to attend the 2nd instalment of Bénéfiq, an international rendezvous on health ingredients, and we’ve plucked a few pearls of wisdom from the podium for your reading pleasure…

Exercise and high protein diet may increase gut microbiota diversity: Research

18-Jun-2014 By Nicola Cottam

Exercise and ‘extreme' high protein diet could have beneficial impact on gut microbiota diversity, according to research published in the British Medical Journal. 

Apple polyphenols may slash inflammation marker levels, change gut microbiota

22-Jan-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Polyphenols from apples may modify the bacterial populations in the gut, and reduce markers of inflammation, according a new study from the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited.

Probiotics may benefit energy metabolism in obese people: Human data

13-Jan-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of probiotics combined with an herbal preparation may improve obesity-related parameters, according to a new study from South Korea.

Gut bacteria are closely linked to immune functions, review suggests

30-Sep-2013 By Nathan Gray

A new understanding of the essential role of gut microbes in the immune system could hold the key to battling significant and global public health issues, researchers have suggested.

Live from the 20th International Congress of Nutrition

Prof: 'GI can be more powerful obesity-fighting tool in Asia than the west'

20-Sep-2013 By Shane Starling in Granada, Spain

Prebiotics and other fibres have a big role to play in curbing spiraling obesity, diabetic and pre-diabetic rates in emerging economies like India and China, according to one respected nutrition academic here at the ICN in Granada.

EU-backed beta glucan trial explores immunity benefits

26-Oct-2012 By Shane Starling

An EU-backed, 240-person trial is underway to investigate the ability of a range of beta-glucans to boost immune systems, with European Union health claim learnings firmly in mind.

Amish study makes ‘important step forward’ in understanding gut microflora and metabolic pathways

17-Aug-2012 By Stephen Daniells

US researchers have identified specific gut bacterial groups that may be associated with metabolic syndrome traits, according to a study with Pennsylvania's Old Order Amish population.

Gut microflora comes in three ‘robust’ types, says study

21-Apr-2011 By Nathan Gray

An international team of scientists have identified three distinct varieties of gut microflora. The finding may help explain why individuals respond differently to various nutrients and diets, according to the researchers.

Danone develops framework for optimizing probiotic-based functional foods

05-Oct-2010 By Stephen Daniells

Mapping how the gut microbiota respond to probiotic strains may help produce a framework for “evaluating and optimizing probiotic-based functional foods”, say researchers from Danone and Harvard.

Sweetener blends show prebiotic chocolate potential

14-Apr-2010 By Stephen Daniells

Blends of low-calorie sweeteners like maltitol with polydextrose boosted gut microflora when formulated in chocolate with excellent tolerance, says a new study from the University of Reading.

Science highlights promise of prebiotics for weight management

29-Mar-2010 By Stephen Daniells

Prebiotic fibres may beneficially modify bacterial populations in our guts and aid weight management, with “promising effects also shown in humans”, says a new review of the science.

Gut microflora and diabetes: Study suggests role for pro-, pre-biotics

12-Feb-2010 By Stephen Daniells

Bacterial populations in the gut of diabetics differ from non-diabetics, says a new study from Denmark that may open up a potential role for modify gut microflora with probiotics and prebiotics and improve health.

Probiotics may ease anxiety: Pilot study

09-Apr-2009 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota may ease symptoms of anxiety in people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), according to new research funded by Yakult.