Having a healthy mix of gut bacteria can help your body manage blood sugar better and respond more effectively to insulin.

The bacteria in your gut might affect your weight and blood sugar by changing how your body uses energy and handles inflammation.

The mix of bacteria in your gut might be connected to conditions like obesity and diabetes, and certain types of bacteria could be tied to storing more fat and how your body handles sugar.

An imbalance in gut bacteria may cause the gut to leak toxins into the body, triggering inflammation and making it harder for the body to use insulin properly in people with type 2 diabetes.

Scientists are looking into whether changing the bacteria in your gut—using things like probiotics, prebiotics, or even poop transplants—could help treat obesity and diabetes.

Artificial sweeteners might mess up the good bacteria in your gut, which could mean your body makes less of a helpful substance that keeps your blood sugar in check.