Digestive symptoms with an impact on quality of life (QoL) affect one in four adults in the general population worldwide who do not qualify for a diagnosis of a Disorder of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI). Recent research suggests this ‘sub-diagnostic’ group demands additional investigation and mig...

Speaking during a visit to Barcelona, Professor John Cryan discusses new findings showing that coffee polyphenols may support microbial communities involved in gut-brain communication—and why decaffeinated coffee produced similar effects.

Molecular Psychiatry - Towards ecological psychiatry: The herbicide glyphosate disrupts behavior through microbiota-gut-brain axis

Digestive symptoms with an impact on quality of life (QoL) affect one in four adults in the general population worldwide who do not qualify for a diagnosis of a Disorder of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI). Recent research suggests this ‘sub-diagnostic’ group demands additional investigation and might benefit from targeted interventions, including dietary interventions.

In this interview with Prof. Carmelo Scarpignato, we discuss the knowns and unknowns of gut microbiota in IBS, the four levels of gut microbiota manipulation, and examples of microbiota-targeted approaches available for the clinician.

In this interview, microbiome researcher Sudarshan Shetty explains what shapes Bifidobacteria, how they change with age, and what diet can do

Background Short-chain fatty acids produced by microorganisms living in the gastrointestinal tract are known to have numerous beneficial effects. Because certain probiotic strains may influence short-chain fatty acid production, probiotic supplementation has been proposed as a potential strategy to modify faecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations. Our aim was to investigate whether probiotics modify faecal short-chain fatty acid levels in healthy populations via systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods We performed a systematic search of the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases on 12/04/2024. We analysed exclusively randomized controlled trials meeting all the following criteria: population: healthy people; intervention: probiotic supplementation; control: no probiotic supplementation; outcome: faecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations. A total of 9217 articles were reviewed, 21 of which met the preset inclusion criteria. Twelve articles, including 541 subjects, were eligible for meta-analysis of changes in faecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations. The standardized mean difference (SMD, Hedges’ g) was chosen as the effect indicator due to the different measurement techniques used. A random-effects model was used to estimate SMD with 95% confidence interval (CI) due to the expected heterogeneity. Results No statistically significant differences were detected in the faecal butyrate (SMD = 0.07, 95%CI:[(-)0.16 – 0.30]), acetate (SMD = 0.06, 95%CI:[(-)0.14 – 0.27]), and propionate (SMD = 0.09, 95%CI:[(-)0.07 – 0.25]) levels between individuals taking and not taking probiotics. Conclusions Our results suggest that probiotic intake has a minor effect on faecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations, but this effect is not statistically detectable in healthy individuals. Thus, there is insufficient evidence of statistically significant effect of probiotic supplementation on stool short-chain fatty acid concentrations in healthy individuals. Trial registration Research protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022286137).

Advancing microbiome research beyond well-studied bacterial species is key to understanding the full functional diversity and potential of the human gut microbiome. In this Review, Turnbaugh and colleagues explore the unique metabolism and pathogenic potential of Eggerthella lenta, supporting the feasibility and utility of studying diverse human-associated bacterial species.

The fifth edition of IBS Days delved into the latest developments in IBS research and clinical management. This article aims to explore causes that can be misdiagnosed as IBS and non-pharmacological strategies targeting gut barrier and gut microbiome dysfunction.

This Perspective emphasizes the necessity of expanding microbiome–gut–brain axis studies into low- and middle-income countries, highlighting potential insights into mental health and environmental interactions, while addressing ethical responsibilities and the need for diverse global health interventions.

Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy - A microbiome meta-transcriptomics pipeline identifies a neutrophil elastase inhibitor that protects the colonic epithelial barrier

While “gut health” is becoming a popular term, mainly in media and marketing claims but also in the clinical context, researchers have not yet nailed down a definition. Now, a global group of 13 scientists and clinicians updates a consensus definition of gut health and implications from bench to bedside.

Background Fermented foods are a promising yet underexplored intervention for influencing brain function and mental health through the gut–brain axis. Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a dairy product fermented with probiotic bacteria on aspects of brain structure...

Background Fermented foods are a promising yet underexplored intervention for influencing brain function and mental health through the gut–brain axis. Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a dairy product fermented with probiotic bacteria on aspects of brain structure...

Comparative analysis of DTC gut microbiome testing services reveals significant methodological variability, underscoring the need for standardized reference materials and guidelines to ensure reproducibility and reliability in commercial microbiome testing.

While “gut health” is becoming a popular term, mainly in media and marketing claims but also in the clinical context, researchers have not yet nailed down a definition. Now, a global group of 13 scientists and clinicians updates a consensus definition of gut health and implications from bench to bedside.

A new study reveals that the benefits of dietary fiber in celiac disease depend not only on intake, but also on the presence of specific gut microbes capable of metabolizing it. These findings highlight the need for more personalized dietary strategies beyond the gluten-free diet.