In a recent study, it has been discovered that the microbes in kombucha tea induce alterations in fat metabolism within the intestines of a model worm species, mirroring the metabolic effects typically associated with fasting. This research was conducted by Robert Dowen and his colleagues at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and their findings were published on March 28 in the journal PLOS Genetics.
Kombucha, a sweetened and fermented tea, has gained considerable popularity due to its health benefits. These include reducing blood pressure, preventing cancer, and protecting against metabolic diseases and liver toxins. The supposed benefits are attributed to the probiotic microbes present in the beverage and their metabolic effects. However, the health claims associated with kombucha have yet to be thoroughly investigated in human studies.
Dowen’s research focused on exploring the impact of kombucha tea’s microbes on metabolism. This was achieved by administering these microbes to the model nematode worm, C. elegans. The study revealed that the yeast and bacteria from the kombucha colonize the worm’s intestines, prompting metabolic changes akin to those observed during fasting. Specifically, these microbes influence the expression of genes linked to fat metabolism, increasing proteins that degrade fats and decreasing proteins that synthesize a type of fat molecule known as triglycerides. Consequently, these alterations lead to a reduction in the fat stores within the worms.
The implications of this study are far-reaching, illuminating how the probiotics in kombucha tea can reshape metabolism in a model worm species, potentially offering insights into their effects on human metabolism. While further research is needed to confirm whether humans consuming kombucha can experience similar effects as those observed in the C. elegans model, the results align with the reported health benefits of kombucha in humans. This could potentially pave the way for the integration of kombucha into future complementary healthcare strategies.
The authors of the study were astounded by the significant impact of the kombucha-derived probiotics on the model organism. They remarked, “Animal consuming a diet consisting of the probiotic microbes found in Kombucha Tea displayed reduced fat accumulation, lower triglyceride levels, and smaller lipid droplets – an organelle that stores the cell’s – when compared to other diets.” These unexpected observations suggest that the microbes in kombucha tea can induce a ‘fastin’-like’ state in the host, even when nutrients are plentiful. This underscores the profound influence that dietary components can have on biological processes and underscores the potential therapeutic benefits of carefully selected probiotics in the diet.
More information: Rachel N. DuMez-Kornegay et al, Kombucha Tea-associated microbes remodel host metabolic pathways to suppress lipid accumulation, PLoS Genetics. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011003
Journal information: PLoS Genetics Provided by PLOS
