Want to Lose Weight? Your Gut Bacteria Can Help More Than Dieting

According to the researchers from the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports at the University of Copenhagen, the proportion of some gut bacteria may be connected to how much weight a person is able to lose under certain circumstances. This means that a one-size-fits-all approach to dieting is pretty pointless.

For the study, the researchers observed 62 people with a large weight circumference. They made them follow either the New Nordic Diet (featuring plenty of dark greens, berries and whole grains) or the Average Danish Diet (lean meat, eggs, lettuce, coffee but no grains). The participants were then grouped according to how much of two different bacteria, called Prevotella and Bacteroides, they had in their bodies.

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The study found that those who had a higher ratio of Prevotella to Bacteroides and followed the New Nordic Diet lost more body fat than those with the same ratio following the Average Danish Diet.

According to co-author of the study, Professor Arne Astrup, while human intestinal bacteria have been linked to the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity, it is only now that they have a breakthrough demonstrating that certain bacterial species play a decisive role in weight regulation and weight loss.

Many gut bacteria imbalances can be reversed through diet, for example, cutting out sugar or ditching booze or caffeine intake while supplementing your diet with pre- and probiotics can also help

The research was published in the International Journal of Obesity.