New Delhi, October 25 (IANS). Scientists have discovered new evidence about the role of hydrogen in gut health, suggesting that this gas, which is often released as flatulence, plays an important role in maintaining digestive balance.
This research, published in Nature Microbiology, was led by Australia’s Monash University and Hudson Institute of Medical Research (HIMR). Monash University published it on Friday. This study explained how hydrogen is produced and used in the human intestine, and also examined how microbes control its levels.
Hydrogen is created when gut microbes ferment undigested carbohydrates. Although a portion of the gas is released, most of it is reused by other bacteria, aiding digestion and supporting a healthy gut microbiome. These results may help develop new microbiome-based treatments for gastrointestinal problems.
Caitlin Welsh, first author of the study and a postdoctoral scientist at Monash University and HIMR, said that most people exhale about a liter of gas every day, half of which is hydrogen. He further said that hydrogen is more than just a gas responsible for flatulence; This is a hidden important factor for stomach health.
After examining bacteria from stool samples and gut tissue, researchers found that gut bacteria produce hydrogen through the enzyme group B (FEFE)-hydrogenase.
This study also showed that abnormal levels of hydrogen are linked to infections, digestive disorders and even cancer. Such levels are often measured in breath tests to evaluate stomach function.
–IANS
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