Certain gut bacteria may play crucial roles in aging, with implications for promoting healthier aging. Research conducted on over 200 octogenarians found a decline in key bacteria, such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and a compensatory increase in other species that help maintain gut health.

New research has unveiled how gut bacteria play a key role in regulating stress by interacting with circadian rhythms, opening possibilities for microbiome-based therapies for mental health. Researchers found that depletion of certain gut bacteria can lead to time-specific increases in stress responses through the HPA axis, the body's central stress response system. Specific bacteria, such as Limosilactobacillus reuteri, were identified as crucial to modulating stress hormones throughout the day.

Researchers have discovered that the gut bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae can migrate to the brain, leading to inflammation and cognitive decline that mimic Alzheimer’s symptoms. The study suggests that hospital-acquired infections combined with disrupted gut microbiomes may increase the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases.

A recent study has mapped how molecules in food interact with gut bacteria, revealing why people respond differently to the same diets. By examining 150 dietary compounds, researchers found that these molecules can reshape gut microbiomes in some individuals, while having little effect in others.