Is there a link between gut health and weight loss?

Fun fact: there are just as many bacteria in your body as there are your own cells.¹ That might make you feel a bit weird, but it shows just how important it is to take care of your friendly microbes. From the gut-brain axis to weight management, we're learning more about the benefits of a healthy gut every day. With help from H&B nutritionist Madalena Vieira Costa, learn how our body produces GLP-1 and how your friendly bacteria may play a part in reaching your weight goals...

Deep down in your large intestine, there are around 39 trillion microbes – mostly bacteria.² Collectively, they’re known as your microbiota and help you:³

Potentially... One study on obese and lean sets of twins showed that lean twins have a more vibrant and diverse microbe community, while twins with obesity have less diverse microbes.⁵ Microbes may alter the way we store fat, how we balance our blood glucose levels and how we respond to hormones that signal hunger and satiety.⁶ All of these can affect our body composition.

You might have heard of GLP-1 (short for glucagon-like peptide-1) when talking about medications like Mounjaro or Ozempic. It's a hormone that’s produced in our gut, which plays a role in appetite and regulating blood sugar levels.⁷ When we eat, our body turns the food into glucose – the body’s main source of energy. Our body can produce two hormones in response: glucagon to raise blood sugar or insulin to lower it.⁸ GLP-1 plays a role in this process.⁷ According to Madalena, “it also slows stomach emptying and promotes satiety.”⁹

If you’re on a journey to support your gut health, it might be useful to try and increase your natural GLP-1 levels.

It’s hard to say for sure. Certain probiotic interventions (particularly combinations of strains within Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) have been associated with outcomes related to weight management, but more research is needed.¹² There’s emerging evidence suggesting they:

Fibre might feel like something your parents go on about. But it helps maintain a happy environment where friendly bacteria can thrive – and 96% of us aren’t getting enough of it.^15,16 “When you eat fibre-rich foods, your gut bacteria breaks down the fibre in the colon, producing short-chain fatty acids. These short-chain fatty acids activate specific receptors on L-cells and trigger the release of GLP-1,” says Madalena.

GLP may not be as easy as one, two, three... but hopefully you’re a little more clued up on how it works. Why not take five minutes to do something good for your friendly bacteria? That could be grabbing a fibre-packed snack or learning about probiotics from a gut health doctor.

Disclaimer – This article provides informational advice and is not a substitute for medical care. Working with experts for accuracy, we take great care to ensure the information is up-to-date and relevant. However, you should always consult your GP or healthcare professional before using supplements or alternative products, particularly if you have medical conditions or are under supervision.