Gut microbial flora in obese people have been found to differ from that of lean subjects for some taxa which could result in different production of microbial metabolites. A recently published study studied whether the gut microbiota from obese children extracts a different concentration of antioxidant capacity than the gut microbiota from lean children [1]. Antioxidant capacity released using lean gut microbiota was higher than that released using obese gut microbiota [1]. Lean gut microbiota could potentially release more antioxidant power from vegetables than from animal products, while obese gut microbiota did the opposite [1]. The results reflect that the total antioxidant capacity of foods is influenced by the gut microbiota [1].

1. Navajas-Porras, Beatriz, Pérez-Burillo, Sergio, Hinojosa-Nogueira, Daniel, Douros, Konstantinos, Pastoriza, Silvia & Rufián-Henares, José Ángel. 2022. The Gut Microbiota of Obese Children Releases Lower Antioxidant Capacity from Food than That of Lean Children. Nutrients 14: 2829.