Interactions between nutrition, GLP-1 secretion, and composition of the gut microbiome.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a key incretin hormone regulating insulin secretion, appetite, and energy balance. Recent research highlights complex interactions between dietary composition, gut microbiome metabolism and GLP-1 secretion. Understanding these relationships is increasingly important given the widespread clinical use of GLP-1 receptor agonists for obesity and type 2 diabetes and the growing interest in microbiome-targeted nutritional strategies.

Recent findings: Recent studies demonstrate that microbial metabolites mediate many nutritional effects on GLP-1 secretion. Fermentation of dietary fibres generates short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that stimulate GLP-1 secretion through FFAR2/FFAR3 signalling. Additional microbial metabolites can regulate enteroendocrine signalling, including indole derivatives, N-acyl glycines and bile acid metabolites. Human and preclinical studies show that dietary interventions such as β-glucan supplementation, fermentable carbohydrate diets, probiotics, polyphenols and plant polysaccharides can influence GLP-1 secretion through microbiome-dependent mechanisms.

Summary: Evidence supports an interaction between nutrition, the gut microbiome and GLP-1 signalling. Microbial metabolites link dietary substrates to GLP-1 secretion and diet shapes the microbial communities producing them. Integrating microbiome profiling with dietary interventions may help optimise metabolic therapies and explain variability in responses to GLP-1-based treatments.