science π¬ Gut bugs transform veggies into disease fighters
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that gut microbes convert nitrate and iron from food into beneficial molecules. This process involves nitrate and non-haem iron found in vegetables and beans, leading to dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs). Studies on mice showed higher DNIC levels correlated with lower blood pressure and better blood sugar control. This finding suggests a new link explaining why vegetable-rich diets lower disease risks. Future work aims to measure DNICs in humans to confirm this mechanism. π₯