Researchers reveal the “first proof” that short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) significantly protect against cardiovascular disease and hypertension by up to 20%. SCFAs are released when gut bacteria break down dietary fiber. The study used data from 393,649 European participants in the UK Biobank database. The team identified rare genetic variants in participants that profoundly impacted the function of receptors bound to SFCAs, preventing people from using the cardiovascular protection offered by their gut microbes.
