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.

NIH funding advances research into overlooked organisms in the human gut

Trillions of microorganisms make their home in the human gastrointestinal tract, where they influence everything from digestion and vitamin synthesis to immune response.

13 Nov 2026

Beyond food: Bran-based gels show potential for targeted drug delivery

When it comes to colon health, the benefits of wheat and rye bran in wholegrain foods are well-known. Now researchers in Sweden have shown how these fibers may have a therapeutic use, too.

12 Nov 2026

Regular coffee consumption alters gut bacteria and digestive physiology

If you drink coffee regularly, it appears to alter not only your gut bacteria but also the physiology of the gut itself. That is the conclusion of a study from the University of Copenhagen, which may help point the way towards better treatments for constipation.

10 Nov 2026

Late night eating and sleep habits damage gut health, increase metabolic disease risk

A new study led by UTHealth Houston identified a link between late-night eating and sleeping habits, gut health, and metabolic disease, offering new insights into why some individuals with obesity may face risk of inflammation and related health problems.

9 Nov 2026

The microbes on your lettuce change with the seasons

Lettuce's microbial communities vary seasonally, potentially impacting gut bacteria and highlighting the role of fresh vegetables in microbiome diversity.

6 Nov 2026

A hidden structure may explain how infant gut bacteria gets nutrients

This study reveals how a β-sheet cradle in PNGaseABif enhances glycopeptide processing, offering insights into microbial nutrient access in the infant gut.

3 Nov 2026

The type of fiber you eat shapes how gut bacteria feed and work together

A 2021 review examined how the chemical structure and physical properties of dietary fiber influence which gut bacteria can break it down and how microbial species compete and cooperate during fermentation. The authors described how these interactions contribute to short-chain fatty acid production, while emphasizing the need for further research involving intact plant foods to understand their implications for human health.

1 Nov 2026

Study finds unexpected lower gut bacterial diversity in vegans

The gut is home to billions of microorganisms. It is a complex ecosystem that regulates many of the body's functions and helps keep us healthy – when it is in balance.

30 Oct 2026

Gut microbial catalog reveals systemic inflammation drivers in spinal injury

Scientists exploring the links between a spinal cord injury, inflammation and immune function have turned their attention to a genome-level analysis of the gut microbial community, with early study results offering hints at potential new approaches to aid healing.

30 Oct 2026

Can broccoli sprouts help with insulin resistance? New review offers clues

A review published in the British Journal of Nutrition examines how carotenoids and bioactive compounds in Brassicaceae microgreens may influence obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes through metabolic and inflammatory pathways. Small human trials involving broccoli sprouts have reported improvements in selected metabolic markers, but larger, longer-term studies are needed to establish their clinical benefits.

29 Oct 2026

Novel peptide from red alga shows potential for blood glucose control

It is a dietary staple found in sushi, rice wraps, and ramen toppings. Commonly known as nori in Japan and gim in Korea, red seaweed is especially popular across Asia.

27 Oct 2026

Transplanted placental cells successfully detected in mouse pancreas after birth

The pancreas is a complex organ comprising multiple cell types that regulate blood glucose levels through hormones, such as insulin, and support digestion by producing digestive enzymes.

22 Oct 2026

E. coli eavesdrops on neighboring bacteria to stabilize gut diversity

The stability of the human gut microbiome relies on interactions between different bacterial species. However, the specific molecular mechanisms of these interactions, particularly among non-dominant species, remain largely unexplored.

14 Oct 2026

Skipping water during exercise may limit your body's response to whey protein

Hydration status may influence post-exercise amino acid availability, although effects on muscle recovery remain uncertain.

8 Oct 2026

New review identifies pistachios as a promising whole food for sleep research

Nearly one-third of U.S. adults report sleeping less than seven hours a night, below the minimum amount recommended for most adults, while nearly one in five has trouble staying asleep most days or every day.

6 Oct 2026

Restoring cellular recycling helps the body clear harmful zombie cells

As we grow older, our bodies accumulate "zombie cells"-living cells that have stopped dividing or functioning normally-but linger in our tissues, contributing to chronic inflammation and age-related diseases.

5 Oct 2026

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