Intermittent fasting has become increasingly popular as a dietary approach for improving metabolic and gut health. This article explores the potential benefits and risks of intermittent fasting for the gut, examining current evidence on its effects on digestion, the gut microbiota, and overall health.
Intermittent fasting and eating rhythmicity: what we know about their impact on metabolic and gut health
2 Mar 2026by Manon Oliero
Much of nutrition science has centred on what we put on our plate, yet when we choose to eat may be just as consequential. Intermittent fasting (IF) has gained attention as a strategy that may support metabolic health while also reshaping microbial rhythms, gut hormone secretion, and intestinal function. The growing interest surrounding this approach raises an essential question for clinical practice: does IF truly translate into measurable benefits?
Clinical translation of microbiome research: takeaways from the 2025 GMFH Summit
16 May 2025by Andreu Prados
The 13th Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit took place 15-16 March 2025 in Washington, D.C., and it focused on advances in microbiome research to diagnose, prevent, and manage gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal conditions. Find out more about the most valuable takeaways from the event.
The human gut microbiome is packed with enzymes that can transform food, drugs, or pollutants. New research maps interactions between dietary xenobiotics and the gut microbiome, explaining why diet can work differently for different people.
Calorie restriction leads to weight loss but may promote pathogenic bacteria
27 Oct 2021by Allison Clark
Restrictive diets in terms of calories and nutrients are widespread among people. Although this type of diets could help with weight loss in the short term, their long-term effects on the gut microbiome and overall health remain unknown.
Could targeting the gut help treat type 2 diabetes? Intestinal bioactive compounds offer clues for developing new antidiabetics
22 Oct 2020by Patrice D. Cani
Enteric neurons have recently emerged as a new target in the management of type 2 diabetes. The findings in mice and humans identify new intestinal bioactive compounds released after prebiotic administration, with potential for improving glucose metabolism.
Will gut microbiota provide the solution to all of our health problems?
23 Apr 2020by Patrice D. Cani
Gut microbiota, with its close links to metabolism and the immune system, could potentially be a factor that lies at the core of good health. This means it can be positioned at the heart of the processes that influence the risk of contracting different diseases.
A study led by Dan Knights at the University of Minnesota concludes that a varied diet helps maintain a stable microbiome, while also giving your body all the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.
Recent studies show that the gut microbiota may affect our body’s response to insulin, a hormone that helps glucose enter the body’s cells so it can be used as energy.
Consuming probiotics is beneficial for treating metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which are a global health problem.
