Improving gut health advances healthful outcomes

Probiotic bacteria have sparked considerable interest in both the food industry and among consumers, thanks to their potential to contribute to disease interventions and enhance human health. These microorganisms must navigate the challenging terrain of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to exert their beneficial effects. Land-grant universities are discovering and sharing ways to improve probiotic absorption and gut health to advance health outcomes.

Here are a few examples how the Land-grant University System is contributing:

• Researchers in Georgia found that ingesting probiotics along with protein-rich foods could serve as a protective mechanism, enhancing the survival of bacteria and increasing the likelihood of a higher probiotic population reaching the colon.
  _{University of Georgia; project supported by USDA competitive and Hatch funds. See full statement.}
  
  
• Hispanic communities in New Hampshire face significant health disparities. A researcher found that supporting gut health through targeted nutritional interventions supports gut microbiota and improves healthful outcomes. The research also has implications for weight management interventions and for informing local food producers about food consumption patterns, potentially revealing new market opportunities.
  _{University of New Hampshire; project supported by Hatch funds. See full statement.}