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.

Weaker and fragmented circadian rhythms linked to higher dementia risk

Circadian rhythms that are weaker and more fragmented are linked to an increased risk of dementia, according to a new study published on December 29, 2025, in Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

4 Jan 2026

Study demonstrates significant changes in gut bacteria at the onset of IBD

Patients experience significant changes in gut bacteria at the onset of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a new international study has found - offering new hope for earlier diagnosis and future treatments.

23 Dec 2025

Genes influence the gut microbiome beyond the individual

The gut microbiome - made up of trillions of microbes in the digestive tract - is vital for digestion and overall health. Diet and medication shape these microbial ecosystems, but the contribution of genetics has been more difficult to ascertain.

19 Dec 2025

Social living allows genetic effects to spread through the gut microbiome

Your "roommate's" genes could be influencing the bacteria living in your gut, and vice versa, according to a study of rats published today in Nature Communications.

18 Dec 2025

Unnecessary gluten-free diets may put children at risk

Understanding gluten-related disorders is crucial for pediatric nutrition, as gluten-free diets can pose health risks without appropriate medical supervision.

15 Dec 2025

White bread vs wholegrain: which one is actually better for your health?

This review dispels common myths about white and wholegrain bread by examining their composition processing and health effects. It concludes that while wholegrain breads offer added benefits white bread remains a safe affordable and nutritionally meaningful staple when fortified.

11 Dec 2025

Discovery links human M cells to early steps of celiac disease

The human small intestine absorbs nutrients while protecting us from potentially harmful microbes. One of the cell types that plays a key role in this protection is the microfold cell, or M cell.

10 Dec 2025

Why the form of vitamin B12 you take may matter more than your intake

This comprehensive review examines vitamin B12 absorption, physiological roles, deficiency states, and dietary sources, with particular attention to differences between natural and synthetic forms. The authors conclude that while all B12 forms raise circulating levels, methylcobalamin may offer advantages in specific clinical contexts, especially where absorption or metabolic conversion is impaired.

10 Dec 2025

Study uncovers how the body's bile acids bind to block C. diff's most dangerous toxin

In a major step towards a precision therapy for Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection, researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) have uncovered how the body's bile acids bind to block C. diff's most dangerous toxin.

9 Dec 2025

Poor dietary iron weakens lung memory T cells after flu infection

Dietary iron deficiency in mice alters lung T cell activation during influenza infection and leads to memory T cells that are present in normal or increased numbers but have impaired antiviral cytokine responses. These functional deficits are most pronounced in lung CD8-positive memory T cells and persist even under optimal recall conditions.

8 Dec 2025

Milestone introduces GREENNOVATION for laboratories: pioneering sustainable laboratory practices

Milestone's commitment to sustainability in laboratories drives the adoption of greener practices, optimizing performance while minimizing environmental impact.

From Milestone 4 Dec 2025

Insect flour could boost gut health and cut environmental impact

Chitin-rich insect flours show promise as functional foods, boosting beneficial gut bacteria while addressing allergenicity and consumer trust issues.

3 Dec 2025

Gut nervous system controls intestinal barrier and allergy risk

An international research team led by scientists from Bern and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin has identified a previously unknown function of the intestinal nervous system.

25 Nov 2025

CRISPR-edited fungus boosts protein production and cuts environmental impact

In a new study publishing November 19 in the Cell Press journal Trends in Biotechnology, researchers used a gene-editing technology called CRISPR to increase a fungus's production efficiency and cut its production-related environmental impact by as much as 61%-all without adding any foreign DNA.

21 Nov 2025

AGA issues updated guidance for pharmacologic treatment of moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has released a comprehensively updated clinical guideline on the pharmacological management of moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease.

20 Nov 2025

Local anesthetic lidocaine may mitigate pancreatic cancer metastasis

Pinned between the stomach and spine, the pancreas supervises both digestion and blood sugar in the body. It's also the site of an aggressive cancer called pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, or PDAC.

13 Nov 2025

Low-dose THC mitigates harmful side effects and inflammation caused by HIV treatment

Long-term, low doses of THC mitigate many harmful side effects and inflammation caused by HIV and antiretroviral therapy (ART), according to new research from Texas Biomedical Research Institute.

6 Nov 2025

Do GLP-1 drugs cause cancer? New review says no, may even protect

A comprehensive review in The Journal of Clinical Investigation finds no overall link between GLP-1 receptor agonists and increased cancer risk, countering early safety concerns. Instead, evidence suggests possible protective effects for certain cancers, supported by metabolic and immune-modulating mechanisms.

4 Nov 2025

Scientists explore why black rice deserves a bigger place in modern diets

Researchers reviewed the nutritional composition, therapeutic benefits, and industrial uses of black rice, highlighting its potential as a functional food. The study highlights the role of black rice in managing blood sugar, cholesterol, and inflammation, while also advocating for more robust human trials and sustainable cultivation methods.

2 Nov 2025

How nerve cells in the gut adapt to microbial and immune challenges

Ramnik Xavier, MD, PhD, of the Department of Molecular Biology at Massachusetts General Hospital, is the senior author of a paper published in Science, "Regional encoding of enteric nervous system responses to microbiota and type 2 inflammation."

31 Oct 2025