Research

Hormonal

Fermentable carbohydrates (FCs) and their microbial byproduct, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), regulate appetite and energy homeostasis by stimulating the release of anorectic gut hormones (GLP-1 and PYY) via FFA2/FFA3 receptors and promoting intestinal gluconeogenesis.

To leverage SCFAs for appetite control, incorporate fermentable fibers like inulin, oligofructose, or resistant starch into your diet. Because high doses can cause digestive issues, start with small amounts (e.g., 5-10g/day) and slowly increase over several weeks. This allows your gut bacteria to adapt and produce SCFAs, which signal fullness (via GLP-1 and PYY) to your brain, potentially helping you eat less naturally.

ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Here we review recent findings in this field and propose an interconnected picture of how SCFAs may affect appetite regulation and energy homeostasis.
Claire Byrne et al. · International Journal of Obesity · 2015

Why this rating

The paper is a review of animal and limited human studies, noting significant gaps in human data and inconsistent translation from rodents.

Source

The role of short chain fatty acids in appetite regulation and energy homeostasis

Claire Byrne et al. · International Journal of Obesity · 2015

DOI 10.1038/ijo.2015.84

narrative_reviewCited 708×
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →