Certain bacteria in the gut microbiota can be detected in people who later develop type 2 diabetes, appearing years before the disease manifests, according to a study published in Cell Reports Medicine.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology led a large epidemiological study involving 4,685 Swedish adults whose microbiomes were examined through stool samples. After an average follow-up period of five years, 383 participants developed diabetes. The study identified nine bacteria in the microbiome associated with the risk of developing the condition.
The findings suggest that changes in gut microbiota composition may play a role in diabetes development rather than simply being a consequence of the disease. This could enable the identification of at-risk individuals before symptoms appear, allowing preventive measures to be introduced earlier.
One unexpected finding involved Akkermansia muciniphila, a bacterium typically associated with health benefits. In participants who developed diabetes, this bacterium was present at high levels. Researchers explained that under favourable conditions, this bacterium feeds on dietary fibre, but when fibre intake is insufficient, it begins breaking down the gut’s protective mucus layer. This can trigger inflammation and metabolic disruptions linked to insulin resistance.
Another bacterium, Coprococcus catus, was linked to diabetes risk only when present in very small quantities. Above a certain threshold, this association disappeared.
The researchers noted that whilst these findings require validation in further studies, gut bacteria could potentially serve as biomarkers alongside existing risk factors such as obesity, heredity, and blood glucose levels. Unlike genes, the gut microbiota can be modified through lifestyle and diet, potentially making it a target for personalised preventive strategies.
Source: Medical Xpress / Chalmers University of Technology (Cell Reports Medicine, 2026)
