Fiber Supplements Reduce Belly Fat Inflammation via Gut Hydrogen in Rats
Colonic Hydrogen Generated from Fructan Diffuses into the Abdominal Cavity and Reduces Adipose mRNA Abundance of Cytokines in Rats
Research hubs: Metabolic Syndrome · Digestive System · Endocrine System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Nishimura Naomichi, Tanabe Hiroki, Adachi Misato, Yamamoto Tatsuro, Fukushima Michihiro
- Journal
- The Journal of Nutrition
- Year
- 2013
- PMID
- 24132574
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and inulin 50 g/kg diet for 28 days
- Duration
- 4 weeks
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 29 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Japan
TL;DR
Eating certain sugars that can't be digested (like fructooligosaccharides) can increase hydrogen levels in the body, which may help reduce inflammation and stress-related damage in rats.
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas produced in the colon from dietary fiber diffuses into abdominal tissues—particularly fat tissue—where it accumulates at significantly higher levels than in the bloodstream, and this accumulation is associated with reduced expression of inflammatory markers.
Summary
Researchers fed rats a diet containing fructooligosaccharides (a type of fiber that humans cannot digest) and measured how hydrogen gas produced in the colon spreads through the body. They found that hydrogen accumulated in abdominal tissues, especially fat tissue, at levels 5 to 43 times higher than in rats eating a regular diet. In rats on a high-fat diet with added fiber, markers of inflammation in fat tissue were reduced, suggesting the hydrogen may have anti-inflammatory effects.
Practical Takeaway
This rat study suggests that certain dietary fibers (fructooligosaccharides and inulin) may increase hydrogen production in the colon, which could potentially reduce inflammation in fat tissue. However, this is early animal research; human studies would be needed to determine whether eating these fibers produces similar effects in people or whether it translates to meaningful health benefits.
Abstract (excerpt)
Hydrogen (H2) protects against inflammation-induced oxidative stress. Nondigestible saccharides (NDSs) enhance colonic H2 production. We examined whether colonic H2 transfers to tissues in the abdominal cavity and whether it affects expression of proinflammatory cytokines. In Expts. 1 and 2, rats…