Good Gut Microbes Could Unlock Extra Benefits of Greens
What Happened
Researchers at Sweden's Karolinska Institutet found that gut bacteria can convert nitrate and plant-based iron from vegetables such as spinach, lettuce and beetroot into protective molecules called DNICs (dinitrosyl iron complexes). Experimental models linked these molecules to lower blood pressure, better blood sugar control and reduced liver fat.
Key Takeaways
Gut microbes may help turn nutrients in vegetables into compounds linked to lower blood pressure, better blood sugar control and healthier blood vessels. However, the findings still need further confirmation in humans.