Have you ever noticed that two people can eat the same high-fiber meal but process it differently?
One feels full, while the other barely notices a change.
New research from Arizona State University may explain why. Your gut microbes, especially the methane-producing ones, could be changing how your body turns fiber into energy.
The hidden role of methane-making microbes…
Inside your gut lives a huge community of microbes. Among them are methanogens. These microbes create methane gas as they help break down food.
At first, that might sound like a fun fact. But researchers found something surprising. People who produce more methane absorb more calories from fiber.
When you eat fiber-rich foods, your body can’t digest all of it. Gut bacteria step in and break it down, producing short-chain fatty acids. These are a valuable energy source.
Hydrogen gas also builds up during this process. Too much hydrogen slows digestion. Methane-producing microbes use the hydrogen, turning it into methane gas instead.
Same food, different calorie payoff
People with more methane-producing microbes get more calories from the same fiber than those with fewer.
Participants in the study tried two diets. One was processed and low in fiber. The other was high in fiber and whole foods. Both had the same protein, carbs, and fat.
Everyone stayed in a special room called a whole-room calorimeter. Scientists could track exactly how many calories were used and how much methane was produced.
Most absorbed fewer calories on the high-fiber diet. But those with high methane production absorbed more calories from fiber than those with low methane production.
What this means for your diet?
If your gut makes more methane, you might be getting extra energy from fiber.
That doesn’t mean eat less fiber. Fiber still supports digestion, heart health, and gut health.
It does suggest nutrition isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your microbiome may have a bigger say in how your body responds to food than you realized.
The future of personalized nutrition is?
This research is just the start. Future studies will explore how methane-producing microbes affect people with obesity, diabetes, and other conditions.
Someday, doctors might check your gut microbes before recommending a diet. Instead of just counting calories, you could focus on feeding the microbes that help you the most.
Your gut is more than part of digestion. It’s an active partner deciding how much energy you get from your food.
