Research

Hormonal

Gut microbiota composition influences metabolic health through the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, which have anti-inflammatory properties and improve insulin sensitivity, and through the modulation of gut hormones like GLP-1 and PYY.

Eating fermentable fibers (prebiotics) feeds beneficial gut bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids like butyrate. These compounds reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity. Additionally, certain fibers stimulate the release of satiety hormones (GLP-1, PYY), helping regulate appetite and blood sugar.

ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
increasing plasma levels of butyrate improve insulin sensitivity and increase energy expenditure in animal models of diet-induced obesity... modulation of gut peptides involved in the control of glucose homeostasis could be one mechanism by which the modulation of gut microbiota via specific dietary fibres is associated with an improvement of metabolic disorders.
A. Vrieze et al. · Diabetologia · 2010

Why this rating

Supported by animal studies and some human observational data, but causal links in humans are still under investigation (e.g., FATLOSE trial mentioned as ongoing).

Source

The environment within: how gut microbiota may influence metabolism and body composition

A. Vrieze et al. · Diabetologia · 2010

DOI 10.1007/s00125-010-1662-7

narrative_reviewCited 343×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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