Research
Hormonal
Activation of Free Fatty Acid Receptors (FFAR2/FFAR3) by SCFAs increases satiety hormones (GLP-1, PYY) and insulin sensitivity, which may counteract the obesogenic effects of SCFA energy extraction.
Eating fiber-rich foods helps your gut bacteria produce SCFAs, which activate receptors that signal your brain to feel full and improve insulin sensitivity. This hormonal effect may help prevent obesity, even if the fiber itself provides some energy.
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Activation of FFAR leads to an increased expression and secretion of enteroendocrine hormones such as glucagon-like-peptide 1 or peptide YY which cause satiety.
Why this rating
Based on animal studies and some human data; results are mixed regarding glucose tolerance in FFAR-deficient mice.
Source
Gut microbiota and energy balance: role in obesity
Michaël Blaut · Proceedings of The Nutrition Society · 2014
DOI 10.1017/s0029665114001700
narrative_reviewCited 229×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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