Ditch Ozempic! This Gut Bacteria May Naturally Curb Blood Sugar And Hunger (Image Credits: iStock)
In a new study, scientists have found a gut microbe that may help control blood sugar levels and reduce sugar cravings—naturally. This discovery could one day offer a safer, drug-free alternative to popular weight-loss medicines like Ozempic.
Researchers from Jiangnan University in China identified a gut bacteria called Bacteroides vulgatus that helps the body produce more GLP-1, a hormone that controls blood sugar and helps you feel full after eating. This same hormone is what drugs like Ozempic are designed to mimic.
The study, published in Nature Microbiology, was done on diabetic mice. It found that increasing the amount of B. vulgatus in their gut helped trigger the release of GLP-1. This led to better blood sugar control and a reduced urge to eat sugary foods.
What Does GLP-1 Do?
GLP-1 is a natural hormone made in your gut. It helps your body release insulin, keeps blood sugar levels steady, and reduces appetite. People with type 2 diabetes often don’t produce enough of this hormone. That’s why drugs like Ozempic are used—but they come with side effects.
This new research shows that your own gut bacteria might be able to help your body produce more GLP-1 on its own, without medication.
Why Do We Crave Sugar?
The scientists also found a link between gut bacteria and sugar cravings. Mice that didn’t have a gut protein called Ffar4 had fewer B. vulgatus bacteria. As a result, their bodies made less of a hormone called FGF21, which helps control sweet cravings.
When the mice were given a special substance (called a metabolite) made by B. vulgatus, their GLP-1 levels went up, and FGF21 levels also improved—helping them crave less sugar.
In humans, some people have a gene that makes them crave more sugar—and this gene is linked to FGF21. So this discovery could help explain why some people find it harder to say no to sweets.
Natural Ways to Manage Sugar and Cravings
While we wait for more human research on this gut microbe, there are already natural ways to manage blood sugar and reduce sugar cravings:
Eat more fibre: Whole grains, fruits, and beans slow sugar absorption.
What’s Next?
Experts say this is a promising first step, but more studies are needed, especially in humans. If proven effective, this gut microbe could lead to natural treatments that help people manage their weight and blood sugar—without side effects.
As we learn more about the power of gut health, one thing is clear: the key to fighting cravings and high blood sugar might already be living inside us.
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