Digestion News and Research

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Digestion is the mechanical and chemical breaking down of food into smaller components, to a form that can be absorbed, for instance, into a blood stream. Digestion is a form of catabolism; a break-down of macro food molecules to smaller ones.

Urges for cardiologists to screen patients for UPF intake

The European Society of Cardiology identifies ultra-processed foods as a key cardiovascular risk, urging a shift in dietary guidelines for better heart health.

11 May 2026

Reverse ecology approach reveals hidden complexity in gut microbiome

The human gut harbors a complex ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms (the microbiome), which influences digestion, the immune system and metabolism.

7 May 2026

Targeting a parasite-specific enzyme offers new hope for malaria treatment

Research published in The FEBS Journal may help overcome challenges to the treatment of malaria-a tropical disease caused by infection of red blood cells with Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted through infected mosquito bites.

6 May 2026

Phase 2 human clinical trial paves way for effective hookworm vaccine

A phase 2 human clinical trial of an antigen for a parasitic infection caused by hookworms has been shown to be effective in limiting the intensity of infection, paving the way for the development of a vaccine.

5 May 2026

Study shows eIF4G2 gene maintains adult intestinal stem cell identity

Years before he conducted the research that would earn him a Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine, Shinya Yamanaka, MD, PhD, was a postdoctoral scientist at Gladstone Institutes, studying genes.

30 Apr 2026

Coffee impacts the gut-brain axis to improve mood and stress

New research from APC Microbiome Ireland, a world leading research centre at University College Cork, has comprehensively explored the mechanisms behind coffee's positive effects on the gut-brain axis for the first time.

21 Apr 2026

MAIA: Bringing AI into your sample preparation

Transform laboratory workflows with MAIA, the AI agent offering instant expert guidance for microwave digestion, ensuring optimal sample preparation.

From Milestone 15 Apr 2026

Social closeness drives the exchange of gut bacteria

Living with friends may quietly be altering your gut bacteria - according to a new study from the University of East Anglia.

10 Apr 2026

Microplastics found in human bile may be associated with gallstones

Findings show microplastics in bile may trigger cellular senescence, suggesting a link to gallstone disease and highlighting the need for further research.

9 Apr 2026

Study reveals lung-brain link between smoking and neurodegeneration

The correlation between smoking and neurodegeneration is well-documented, with one study from 2011 finding heavy smoking in midlife was associated with a greater than 100% increase in risk of dementia, Alzheimer's and vascular dementia more than two decades later.

8 Apr 2026

New blood test spots four cancers and other diseases by stripping away healthy DNA noise

MethylScan is a new low-cost cell-free DNA methylome test that removes much of the healthy blood DNA background, helping rare disease signals stand out more clearly. In more than 1,000 people, it showed strong performance for detecting four cancers, classifying liver diseases, and identifying organ-specific damage.

7 Apr 2026

How gut microbes may shape heart attack damage and recovery

This review argues that gut microbes and the metabolites they produce, especially SCFAs and TMAO, may shape how the heart responds to myocardial infarction through epigenetic pathways such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs. It also outlines potential intervention routes, including diet, probiotics, postbiotics, and metabolite-targeted therapies, while noting that much of the evidence remains translational and not yet clinically definitive.

6 Apr 2026

Gut bacteria determine fiber benefits in celiac disease patients

Many people with celiac disease are advised to eat more fiber to support digestion and manage symptoms, either through diet or prescribed fiber supplements.

31 Mar 2026

New research links cooking methods to better nutrient absorption

Researchers at the University of Seville's Food Colour and Quality Laboratory have studied the effects of different cooking methods used for tomatoes and carrots (in the oven, microwave or air fryer, amongst others) on the amount of carotenoids that are potentially available for absorption by the body following the digestion of these foods.

27 Mar 2026

New AI tool assesses the potential threat posed by new bacteria

Researchers have developed an AI tool that can help determine whether unfamiliar bacteria carry genetic features linked to disease.

27 Mar 2026

Dandelion leaves boost brain-protective compounds after digestion

Dandelion leaves are rich in polyphenols with neuroprotective effects, offering insights into natural strategies for Alzheimer's disease management.

27 Mar 2026

Microbial teamwork enables efficient breakdown of phthalate plastic pollutants

Plastic trash has reached the world's most remote locations, from the bottom of the Mariana Trench to the summit of Everest.

18 Mar 2026

Dragon fruit peel extract enhances bread nutrition and reduces food waste

A research team led by Professor ZHOU Weibiao from the Department of Food Science and Technology at the NUS Faculty of Science has shown that compounds extracted from red dragon fruit peel can be incorporated into bread to increase antioxidant activity and slow starch digestion, offering a potential pathway to healthier staple foods and reduced food waste.

17 Mar 2026

Lysosomal storage of drugs may influence cancer treatment outcomes

One of oncology's biggest challenges is that the same treatment can work well for some patients but fail completely in others.

17 Mar 2026

New aeroponic technology delivers essential Vitamin B12 through salad crops

A pioneering research-industry partnership has used advances in indoor farming technology to grow pea shoots fortified with Vitamin B12, opening an exciting route to market for farmers and addressing a major public health need.

13 Mar 2026