Research

Hormonal

Dietary intake of fermentable carbohydrates (fiber, resistant starch, prebiotics) increases the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate and propionate in the colon, which contributes to gut barrier integrity, reduced inflammation, and metabolic health benefits.

To support your gut health and metabolism, prioritize foods rich in fermentable fibers like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes. These feed your gut bacteria to produce beneficial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that support your gut barrier and metabolic health. If you are currently low in fiber, increase your intake gradually to minimize digestive discomfort.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
The amount and relative abundance of SCFA may be considered as biomarkers of a healthy status... high fiber-low fat and meat diets are characterized by the presence of higher amounts of fecal SCFA than diets with reduced fiber intake.
David Ríos-Covián et al. · Frontiers in Microbiology · 2016

Why this rating

The paper is a mini-review citing numerous human intervention studies, epidemiological data, and animal models, though it notes that more controlled human trials are needed for some specific claims.

Source

Intestinal Short Chain Fatty Acids and their Link with Diet and Human Health

David Ríos-Covián et al. · Frontiers in Microbiology · 2016

DOI 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00185

narrative_reviewCited 2,149×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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