Some good bacteria in your gut can break down a substance called hyaluronic acid, and different strains do it in different ways—some even share the broken-down pieces with other bacteria, like one...

Big, chunky molecules of hyaluronic acid are easier for certain good bacteria in your gut to break down and eat than smaller ones.

A specific gut bacteria called Bacteroides salyersiae breaks down a substance in your body called hyaluronic acid and makes a small sugar molecule called udp4 as a result.

In mice, certain good bacteria in the gut called Bacteroides are needed to help the body soak up a substance called hyaluronan when it's swallowed.

A special sugar made by one type of gut bacteria can be eaten by other gut bacteria that can’t break down hyaluronic acid themselves — like sharing a snack they can’t make on their own.

A special sugar made by one type of gut bacteria can be eaten by other gut bacteria that can’t break down hyaluronic acid on their own — like sharing a snack they can’t make themselves.