Nutrition · News, made simple
How Your Gut Bacteria Affects Calories
Learn how tiny gut bugs might change the way your body absorbs calories from food.
HealthStylz Editors
· 2 min read
The short version
- Gut bacteria affect calorie absorption.
- Food labels miss the full story.
- High fiber diets help lower absorbed calories.
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
- Oats1/2 cup dry (40 g)4 g
- Apple1 medium (182 g)4.4 g
- Broccoli1 cup chopped (91 g)2.4 g
Protein per serving
- Oats1/2 cup dry (40 g)5.3 g
- Apple1 medium (182 g)0.5 g
- Broccoli1 cup chopped (91 g)2.6 g
Calories per serving
- Oats1/2 cup dry (40 g)151.6 cal
- Apple1 medium (182 g)94.6 cal
- Broccoli1 cup chopped (91 g)30.9 cal
Source: USDA FoodData Central.
Hello friend. If you are working on your weight, you know how much time goes into reading food labels and planning meals. A new piece of news might change how you think about your daily plate.
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 shows that this does not prove cause and effect. In a controlled study, 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
Your body is complex. The tiny bugs living in your gut help process what you eat. This means the numbers you see on a package might not match what your body actually takes in.
One small thing to try
Try adding a little more fiber to your next meal. It is a gentle way to care for your body and your gut.
- Eat a piece of fruit
- Add veggies to your lunch
- Choose whole grains