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Nutrition · News, made simple

Could Gut Bacteria Change How You Absorb Calories?

New research shows your gut bacteria may change how many calories you absorb from food.

HealthStylz Editors
· 2 min read

Photo: Nadin Sh

The short version

  • Gut bacteria affect calorie absorption.
  • Food labels may miss details.
  • Fiber diets show lower absorption.

Based on reporting by ScienceDaily Nutrition. We explain it in plain words; read the original for the full story.

Nutrition facts

Everyday foods that fit this story One normal serving of each.

Fiber per serving

  1. Oats1/2 cup dry (40 g)4 g
  2. Black beans1 cup cooked (172 g)15 g
  3. Chickpeas1 cup cooked (164 g)12.5 g

Protein per serving

  1. Oats1/2 cup dry (40 g)5.3 g
  2. Black beans1 cup cooked (172 g)15.2 g
  3. Chickpeas1 cup cooked (164 g)14.5 g

Calories per serving

  1. Oats1/2 cup dry (40 g)151.6 cal
  2. Black beans1 cup cooked (172 g)227 cal
  3. Chickpeas1 cup cooked (164 g)269 cal

Source: USDA FoodData Central.

Hello friend. If you are on a weight loss journey, you know how hard it is to count every calorie. There is some new news about how our bodies handle food.

What's new

Scientists have developed a model showing that gut bacteria play a surprisingly important role in how many calories we absorb, meaning food labels may not tell the full story. One new study did not prove cause and effect, but it found that people eating a high fiber diet absorbed about 116 fewer calories per day than those eating a typical Western diet, without feeling hungrier.

What it means for you

This does not mean you need to change your whole routine today. It just shows that our bodies are complex. What we eat interacts with our inner bacteria in interesting ways.

One small thing to try

You might want to add a little more fiber to your meals this week, like a nice serving of beans or oats, just to see how you feel.

Where this comes from