Research
Energy balance
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by gut bacteria have complex effects: while generally beneficial for blood pressure regulation via GPCR activation, increased production in obesity may contribute to calorie harvest and weight gain.
Fiber is good for your heart, but if you are struggling with weight, be aware that your gut bacteria might be extracting more calories from your food. Focus on a balanced diet rather than just maximizing fiber intake if weight loss is a primary goal.
ModerateQualifiesMEDIUM confidence
An increased production of SCFAs in obese individuals might contribute to additional calorie harvest from the diet, potentially leading to weight gain... In the context of hypertension, SCFAs have mainly shown beneficial effects, especially acetate, primarily by activating G protein- coupled receptors (GPCRs)...
Why this rating
Based on animal studies and some human data, but the net effect is complex and context-dependent.
Source
Gut Dysbiosis as a Shared Mechanism in Obesity and Hypertension: Exploring a Promising Therapeutic Avenue
Andrej Belančić et al. · Endocrinology Diabetes & Metabolism · 2026
DOI 10.1002/edm2.70159
narrative_review
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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