Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine

The foods we eat every day contain components that are resistant to digestion by human digestive enzymes. Examples include dietary fiber and certain oligosaccharides. These components are not fully digested or absorbed in the small intestine and can reach the large intestine, where they may be utilized by gut bacteria.
Gut bacteria use these food components as nutrients to grow and produce various substances. For example, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium, may help improve the gut environment. In addition, gut bacteria break down and ferment indigestible components, producing metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids. These metabolites are known to influence not only intestinal function but also overall health, including immune function and metabolism.
Thus, even components that humans cannot directly digest may contribute to health through their interactions with gut bacteria. In this study, we aim to identify food components that function as prebiotics, which are utilized by gut bacteria and provide beneficial health effects. We investigate how these components affect the growth of gut bacteria and the production of microbial metabolites. Furthermore, we seek to clarify how these components influence the gut environment and overall health. Through this research, we hope to uncover the health-promoting functions of familiar foods and contribute to healthier and more enjoyable diets.

Effects of various indigestible components in foods on improving the intestinal environment