Research

Hormonal

Dietary fiber fermentation by gut microbiota produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) which stimulate the secretion of gut peptides (GLP-1, PYY) via GPR41/GPR43 receptors, thereby improving glucose regulation and reducing energy intake.

To leverage your gut microbiome for better blood sugar control and appetite regulation, consume complex carbohydrates (dietary fibers) that resist digestion in the small intestine. These fibers reach the colon where bacteria ferment them into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These SCFAs activate specific receptors (GPR41/43) on gut cells, triggering the release of hormones like GLP-1 and PYY that improve glucose handling and reduce hunger. Focus on sources like resistant starches and arabinoxylans.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
modulating the gut microbiota using prebiotics led to a higher endogenous production (ie, mRNA and peptides) and portal vein secretion of several gut peptides produced by the L- cells such as GLP- 1, GLP- 2 and peptide YY (PYY)... SCFAs stimulate the secretion of gut peptides by acting on specific G- protein- coupled receptors... GPR43 (or free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFAR2)) and GPR41 (or FFAR3)
Willem M. de Vos et al. · Gut · 2022

Why this rating

The paper cites multiple human and mouse studies establishing the link, though it is a review of mechanisms rather than a single clinical trial.

Source

Gut microbiome and health: mechanistic insights

Willem M. de Vos et al. · Gut · 2022

DOI 10.1136/gutjnl-2021-326789

narrative_reviewCited 2,263×
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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