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.

From espresso to filter coffee, brewing may shape what reaches your gut

A focused narrative review traces how caffeine, chlorogenic acids, and coffee fibers move through the gut and interact with microbes. The authors identify plausible links between the microbiome and liver health, but human studies have not shown that microbiome changes cause coffee’s reported metabolic benefits.

28 Sep 2026

A child's gut microbiome may offer early clues to type 1 diabetes risk

Researchers tracking 887 children at high genetic risk of type 1 diabetes identified three distinct patterns of gut microbiome maturation during early childhood. One pattern was associated with substantially higher risk of islet autoantibody seroconversion or type 1 diabetes, while host genetic background altered the risk associated with another pattern.

23 Sep 2026

New clues link Long COVID and POTS

Dizziness, fatigue, brain fog and a racing heart. They’re commonly associated with Long COVID, but new Adelaide University research suggests that for some people, these symptoms may also be indications of Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a debilitating and difficult-to-diagnose condition.

18 Sep 2026

POTS identified in nearly two-thirds of Long COVID patients

Dizziness, fatigue, brain fog and a racing heart. They're commonly associated with Long COVID, but new Adelaide University research suggests that for some people, these symptoms may also be indications of Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a debilitating and difficult-to-diagnose condition.

16 Sep 2026

Cannabis-derived nanovesicles showed early antitumor potential in mice

Researchers developed a Cannabis sativa hairy root culture system that produced stable plant-derived nanovesicles capable of promoting dendritic cell maturation and activating T-cell responses through TLR2- and TLR4-associated signaling. Oral administration also restored selected immune responses in immunosuppressed mice and suppressed tumor growth in an E.G7 lymphoma model, providing preliminary evidence for their immunomodulatory and antitumor potential.

15 Sep 2026

Advanced AI cell models redefine modern cell biology research

Researchers at Stanford Medicine have developed two new artificial intelligence models of the biological cell.

15 Sep 2026

Scientists reviewed 20 edible and medicinal fungi for clues to better prebiotics

A review of 20 non-toxic edible and medicinal fungal species found that their polysaccharides can resist digestion, interact with gut microbes, and influence microbial metabolites linked to intestinal and metabolic health. The evidence suggests potential benefits for conditions including colitis, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, although most findings currently come from laboratory and animal studies.

27 Aug 2026

Researchers systematically map interactions between common gut bacteria

Understanding how bacteria influence one another is essential for understanding how microbial communities are formed and maintained.

24 Aug 2026

Semaglutide trial targets people with liver disease, obesity and alcohol addiction

A new study -- co-led by the University of Plymouth, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, and the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Nottingham -- is being launched into a treatment for people impacted by liver disease, obesity and alcohol addiction.

19 Aug 2026

A study of 60 popular Chinese teas found reassuring results and one important warning

Researchers analyzing 60 best-selling online teas in China found that concentrations of six harmful elements remained within Chinese national limits and modeled noncarcinogenic risks were below concern thresholds.

13 Aug 2026

AI-augmented analysis sheds new light on Crohn's disease complications

Scientists have combined Artificial Intelligence (AI), genetics and gut microbiome analysis to shed new light on one of the most serious complications of Crohn's disease: intestinal fibrosis, the irreversible scarring of the bowel that often leads to surgery.

12 Aug 2026

Why pulses could play a bigger role in healthy and sustainable diets

A narrative review finds that pulses may support gut and metabolic health through their fiber, protein, phytochemicals, and interactions with the gut microbiota, while offering a lower environmental footprint than many animal protein sources. Human evidence is strongest for selected cardiometabolic outcomes, while many microbiome and fermentation-related benefits remain supported mainly by animal and laboratory studies.

9 Aug 2026

Fruit fly gut cells track hunger using internal cell viscosity

Researchers led by Sa Kan Yoo at the RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR) in Japan have discovered that the natural turnover of gut cells in the fruit fly depends on how much food the flies get, rather than any specific nutrient.

7 Aug 2026

Blocking ZFP36L2 protein may disrupt colorectal cancer metastatic growth

Digestion is hard on the cells that line the human gut, and they are constantly being shed and replaced. This renewal is driven by a population of tireless stem cells.

5 Aug 2026

Digital twin of the gut-brain axis aims to advance neurostimulation therapies

The gut and brain are in constant conversation, exchanging signals that regulate hunger and digestion, as well as the body's response to stress.

3 Aug 2026

New analytical strategies can measure thousands of gut microbial proteins

The trillions of microorganisms living in our intestine influence our health, from digestion and metabolism to immunity.

3 Aug 2026

Plant-based diets reshape gut microbes to boost healthy metabolites

Plant-based diets are good for you. They promote gut, immune, metabolic and cardiovascular health, in part by cultivating a diverse community of intestinal bacteria.

27 Jul 2026

Signals traveling from the gut through the vagus nerve help form memories

When French writer Marcel Proust famously recalled his childhood from the taste of a Madeline cookie, his stomach may have done some of the work.

27 Jul 2026

Artificial stomach helps design nutrient-rich protein powders for seniors

New nutrient-rich protein powders to boost the health of active older people are being developed with the help of an artificial stomach at Aberystwyth University.

27 Jul 2026

Cleveland Clinic study links gut microbe byproduct to heart arrhythmia

A Cleveland Clinic-led study shows a connection between elevated blood levels of TMAO (trimethylamine N-oxide) - a byproduct of gut bacteria digestion of nutrients found in red meat and other animal products - and a higher risk of atrial fibrillation.

24 Jul 2026