MELBOURNE, OCT. 24 (Xinhua/APP/DNA): Scientists have uncovered new insights into hydrogen’s role in gut health, revealing that commonly expelled as flatulence, hydrogen plays a critical part in maintaining digestive function.
Published in Nature Microbiology, the study, led by Australia’s Monash University and Hudson Institute of Medical Research (HIMR), revealed how hydrogen is made and used in the human gut, and analyzed how microbes control hydrogen levels in the gut, said a statement released Friday by Monash University.
Hydrogen gas is generated when gut microbes ferment undigested carbohydrates. While some hydrogen is expelled, much is recycled by other bacteria, aiding digestion and shaping the gut microbiome, it said, adding the discovery can be used to design new microbiome-based treatments for gastrointestinal issues.
“Most people release about a liter of gas per day and half of that is hydrogen. But hydrogen is more than just the gas behind flatulence; it’s a hidden driver of gut health,” said study first author Caitlin Welsh, postdoctoral scientist at Monash University and HIMR.
After studying bacteria from stool samples and gut tissue, the researchers found that gut bacteria produce hydrogen through the enzyme Group B [FeFe]-hydrogenase.
However, the authors said abnormal hydrogen levels are associated with infections, digestive disorders, and even cancer, and are often measured in breath tests to assess gut health.
