What beneficial short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) is produced when gut bacteria ferment glucomannan in the colon?
Answer
Butyrate
When the beneficial bacteria residing in the gut microbiome ferment the glucomannan fiber reaching the colon, they produce crucial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Among these, butyrate is specifically mentioned. Butyrate is critically important because it functions as the primary energy source for the cells that line the colon walls, thereby playing a fundamental role in maintaining gut barrier integrity and supporting overall colonic health.

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