Gut bacteria, especially Streptococcus salivarius, produce EPS, improving metabolism, blood sugar, and weight management.
Recent research has revealed that gut bacteria might have a more significant role in weight management and keeping blood sugar levels even than what was originally previously thought. A team of scientists has explored how certain gut bacteria produce compounds from sugars that could potentially help in controlling blood sugar, preventing fat buildup, and even leading to new treatments for conditions like diabetes and obesity.
The human gut contains a wide variety of bacteria that are essential for digesting food, absorbing nutrients, and influencing overall health. Among the many types of bacteria, some produce substances called exopolysaccharides (EPS). These substances seem to play an important part in regulating metabolism. A particular strain of bacteria, Streptococcus salivarius, stands out for its ability to produce EPS when it consumes sucrose, a type of sugar found in many foods. Researchers have been studying how these EPS affect metabolic health, and their findings could have major implications for weight management and diabetes control.
The research focused on the effects of these EPS both in humans and mice. Fecal samples from human volunteers were studied to identify the bacteria responsible for producing EPS. The researchers found that people with a higher abundance of S. salivarius in their gut had better control over their blood sugar levels and showed improved insulin sensitivity—both key factors in managing diabetes.

In the animal studies, mice that were given EPS supplements showed significant improvements in their metabolism. These mice were able to handle glucose better, meaning their bodies could process sugar more efficiently. The EPS also appeared to help regulate appetite. The mice had higher levels of gut hormones that signal fullness, such as GLP-1 and peptide YY, which are known to reduce food intake. This suggests that these compounds might help control overeating by influencing hunger signals.
Another major finding was that the gut bacteria responsible for EPS production helped reduce the amount of fat the mice stored. Over the course of 16 weeks, the mice that received EPS supplements gained less weight and had lower fat levels compared to those that did not. This points to a potential for EPS to help in managing obesity. Furthermore, these mice also had lower levels of inflammation, which is often linked to metabolic disorders like obesity and type 2 diabetes.
What makes these findings particularly exciting is that they suggest a long-term benefit from EPS supplementation. Even after the mice stopped receiving the supplement, the positive effects on their metabolism and weight were sustained. This opens up possibilities for future treatments that could target the gut microbiome to help people maintain a healthy weight and regulate blood sugar over time.
One of the reasons these findings are important is because they show that the effects of EPS are not just about what we eat, but also about how our gut bacteria interact with our food. The type of bacteria in our gut can influence how our body handles the food we eat, including how we process sugars and how much fat we store. Researchers are still working to understand exactly how these bacteria work and whether these benefits can be fully replicated in humans.
This study also opens the door for potential therapies, like probiotics or prebiotics, that could encourage the growth of bacteria that produce EPS. By altering the microbiome in a controlled way, it may be possible to prevent or manage metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes without relying solely on diet or medication. However, more research is needed to fully understand how these bacteria work and whether they can have the same effects in humans as they did in the mice.
Overall, this study is a promising step forward in our understanding of how gut bacteria influence our metabolism and health. While it’s still early, the idea that we could harness the power of gut-derived sugars to manage conditions like obesity and diabetes is an exciting possibility. With continued research, we may one day see new treatments that could help people live healthier lives by supporting the good bacteria in their gut.
Sources:
Gut-derived sugars: A potential game-changer for weight management and diabetes
Sucrose-preferring gut microbes prevent host obesity by producing exopolysaccharides
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