Gut microbes influence calorie absorption
Gut microbes producing methane may help extract more calories from high-fiber diets, a new study finds.
Why it matters
- Gut microbes influence how many calories we absorb.
- High methane producers extract more energy from high-fiber diets.
By the numbers
- Study compared high-fiber and processed diets.
- High methane producers absorbed more calories from high-fiber diets.
- Overall, high-fiber diets led to fewer calories absorbed than processed diets.
The big picture
- Personalized nutrition could benefit from understanding gut microbiome.
- Methanogens may have helped ancient humans extract more energy from food.
What they're saying
- Personal anecdotes highlight impact of methanogenic overgrowth.
- Experts note microbiome's role in diet responses.
Caveats
- Study conducted on healthy participants.
- More research needed for broader health implications.
What’s next
- Study methanogens' role in weight loss diets.
- Investigate effects in people with obesity, diabetes.