by In a recent study published in the journal PLOS Genetics, researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, led by Robert Dowen, explored the effects of probiotics in kombucha tea on fat metabolism in the intestines of a model worm species. Kombucha, a popular fermented tea beverage touted for its health benefits, is believed to impact metabolism through its probiotic microbes, although these claims have lacked extensive human studies.
The team fed the microbes from kombucha tea to the nematode worm C. elegans and observed significant changes in the worms’ metabolism. The yeast and bacteria from the tea colonized the intestines of the worms, inducing alterations in gene expression related to fat metabolism. This resulted in an increase in proteins responsible for breaking down fats and a decrease in proteins that contribute to triglyceride production, ultimately leading to a reduction in fat stores in the worms.
These findings shed light on how probiotics in kombucha tea can modulate metabolism in a model organism and suggest potential implications for human metabolism. While further research is needed to confirm these effects in humans, the results align with the reported health benefits of kombucha and may influence its use in complementary healthcare practices in the future.
The researchers noted their surprise at the observed outcomes, highlighting that animals consuming a diet with the probiotic microbes from kombucha tea displayed reduced fat accumulation, lower triglyceride levels, and smaller lipid droplets compared to other diets. This indicates that the microbes in kombucha tea can induce a fasting-like state in the host, even in the presence of adequate nutrients.
As the understanding of the impact of probiotics on metabolism continues to evolve, studies like this contribute valuable insights into the potential benefits of probiotic-rich beverages like kombucha.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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