Linking Gut Microbes, Fiber Digestion Across Diets
Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and additional scientific institutions explored how the human gut microbiome shapes the way different dietary fibers are absorbed. The findings appeared in Science, a leading scientific magazine known for publishing impactful studies. The work combined genomics with microbiome analysis to uncover how our internal microbial communities influence fiber processing and nutrient uptake.
Using advanced computer-based DNA analysis, the team examined genome data from 25 ruminant animals and 22 humans. The analysis revealed that four distinct groups of microbes in the human gut are capable of digesting cellulose, the tough plant fiber found in many foods. This points to a broader spectrum of cellulose-processing capabilities than previously understood and highlights the diversity of microbial functions within the gut.
Crucially, the researchers found that the presence and abundance of cellulose-degrading microbes vary with dietary patterns. Diet appears to shape which microbial players are most common, influencing how effectively cellulose is broken down and how much energy is derived from fibrous foods. In primates, these cellulose-digesting microorganisms appear at a rate of about 30 to 40 percent of the gut microbial community, illustrating a notable, though variable, prevalence across species and habitats.
In humans, the picture shifts with lifestyle. Rural populations that consume high-fiber diets tend to harbor a larger fraction of these cellulose-degrading microbes, with roughly 20 percent of intestinal microbes showing this capability. Conversely, urban dwellers in industrialized settings tend to have a much smaller share, around five percent, reflecting a lower ecological niche for cellulose digestion within the gut microbiome in these groups.
One interpretation from the evolutionary analysis is that these microbial strains likely originated in the intestines of ruminant animals and were transferred to humans during domestication and close contact with animals. This lineage suggests a long, co-evolved history between human hosts and their gut microbes, influenced by changes in diet and living environments over thousands of years. The study’s authors emphasize that such microbial shifts can have meaningful consequences for how people metabolize fibrous foods and extract energy from plant-derived carbohydrates.
Beyond the immediate findings, the research contributes to a broader understanding of how nutrition, lifestyle, and microbial ecology interact. It underscores that gut microbial composition is not fixed but responds to long-term dietary patterns, cultural practices, and environmental factors. The work aligns with a growing body of evidence that the gut microbiome plays a central role in nutrient processing, metabolic health, and the body’s response to different kinds of dietary fiber. The researchers note that ongoing study is needed to determine how specific fiber types, processing methods, and individual genetics further influence these microbial communities and their functional outputs.
In summary, the investigation demonstrates that cellulose digestion in humans is carried out by several microbial groups whose presence correlates with diet and lifestyle. This finding enriches the understanding of human evolution, nutrition, and microbiome science, providing a framework for future research into how fiber recommendations might be tailored to support gut health. As scientists continue to map the connections between diet, microbes, and metabolism, these insights may eventually inform personalized nutrition strategies and public health guidance. (Source: Science)
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