Model: Gut Bacteria Influence How Many Calories We Absorb
A model shows that gut bacteria play a surprisingly important role in how many calories we absorb, meaning food labels may not tell the full story. In a controlled study of healthy adults, people eating a high-fiber diet absorbed about 116 fewer calories per day than those eating a typical Western diet, without feeling hungrier.
1. What the Research Says
The controlled study compared the calories absorbed on a high-fiber diet with those on a typical Western diet. Whether this changes weight or health outcomes over the longer term remains open.
2. How It Fits Earlier Research
Earlier reviews paint the same picture: more dietary fiber increases satiety and lowers energy intake, and the short-chain fatty acids produced when it is fermented feed into appetite regulation, energy expenditure and glucose homeostasis. Whether that translates into lower body weight over the longer term is not settled by these papers. Short-chain fatty acids in control of body weight and insulin sensitivity. (2015) · Short chain fatty acids in human gut and metabolic health. (2020) · Dietary fiber and weight regulation. (2001)
3. Source
ScienceDaily: Your gut bacteria could be changing how many calories you absorb (2026-10-12)
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