Microbiome

Scientists have found that bacteria on your tongue play a critical role in how nitrate-rich beets impact vascular health. However, that impact is not across the board, revealing a previously unknown link between aging, the oral microbiome and health.

Not all probiotics are created equal. A new study found that one commonly available strain made a gut infection worse, while another helped stop it in its tracks, thanks to a powerful natural antibiotic and an unexpected ally from the gut’s own ranks.

While it's estimated that millions worldwide suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, a test for the condition still doesn't exist. That could be set to change with the release of a new study that finds the condition's fingerprint in the gut microbiome.

Your gut bacteria might give away more about you than your accent does. In a new study, scientists used people’s microbiome to predict where they lived, down to the city, with 94% accuracy. It gives new meaning to the phrase "you are what you eat."

A groundbreaking study has revealed that white sugar doesn’t just feed bacteria in the gut – it rewires them. Consuming sugar can trigger physical flips in bacterial DNA, setting off a chain reaction that alters immune responses and gut health.

From St John’s wort to vitamin D, the range of over-the-counter supplements for mental health wellbeing continues to grow. Now, scientists have looked at 64 products reviewed in hundreds of studies to shed light on how useful they are for depression.

A herbal mouthwash selectively killed off bad bacteria in the mouth while preserving the good strains, according to a new study. It's proposed as an alternative to conventional mouthwashes, which were found to kill indiscriminately and damage gum tissue.

Alternating between a calorie-restricted plan and one high in fat and sugar, resulting in weight gain, is not just down to psychology and behavior. This kind of weight-loss-gain cycle – yo-yo dieting – has a surprising biological driver: The gut.

A small daily dose of kombucha made from black tea has been shown to meaningfully reshape the gut microbiome in adults – particularly those with obesity – without any dietary changes. It also reveals a lot about the importance of micro-biodiversity.

Even without noses, octopuses are able to determine which food sources are good to eat and which have gone past their prime simply by touching them. The secret, says a new study, lies with surface microbiomes and some very sensitive suckers.

If you have an aversion to the bitterness of foods like cabbage or broccoli, you might be a "super-taster," carrying a specific genetic code that dials up taste sensitivity. It may also put you at higher risk of kidney disease and bipolar disorder.

Researchers have found an indication of depression in a slightly unexpected place – the microbiome inside our mouths. The finding opens a new route of inquiry that could lead to novel antidepressant treatments and help other ailments as well.