Gut microbiome study in India

Notes

• A three-year study published in 'Gut Microbes' provides the first reference database of the gut microbiome across South Asia.
• The study sampled 575 adults from 10 communities across India and Sri Lanka to compare rural versus urban gut bacteria.
• Researchers used genome sequencing to verify shared genetic ancestry, isolating environment and diet as the primary variables for microbiome differences.
• India has 89.8 million adults with diabetes (2024), projected to reach 156.7 million by 2050; 43% of current cases are undiagnosed.
• Urbanisation and the shift to processed foods (e.g., soft drinks, biscuits) are identified as key drivers of metabolic diseases like obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.
• Megamonas bacteria, linked to obesity and high blood glucose, were found to be more abundant in urban populations.
• Holdemanella, a bacterium associated with fibre intake and glucose tolerance, is prevalent in rural areas but lost in urbanised populations, except where traditional diets are maintained.
• The study suggests that the impact of urbanisation on the microbiome is driven by food processing rather than meat consumption.

Part of a longer story

This is day 1 of 2 in Indian Tribal Gut Microbiome Research, which has been running since 26 July 2026. Reading it whole is usually worth more than reading today alone — the exam asks how something developed.

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