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UNF Study Looks At How Gut Bacteria May Affect Heart Health

File photo
File photo
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The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

Volunteers are needed in Jacksonville for research on the effect that eating fermented vegetables has on the body’s microbiome and heart.

A new study at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville is trying to make a connection between a happy gut and a healthy heart.

Gut bacteria is connected to many types of disorders.

UNF nutrition and dietetics professor Andrea Arikawa is conducting research on the effect that eating fermented vegetables, like Korean kimchi and sauerkraut, has on the body’s microbiome and heart health. 

“The dose that we’re giving is about 100 grams a day, which is about half a cup, and for a longer period of time and we’re trying to see if that can change the composition of the bacteria in the gut and also change the markers of inflammation in their blood,” said Arikawa.

UNF needs study participants from Jacksonville.  A website with information is at happygut.domains.unf.edu.

The full interview with Arikawa can be heard on First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross on WJCT News 89.9.

Michelle Corum can be reached at mcorum@wjct.org, 904-358-6308 or on Twitter at @MCorumonME.

Copyright 2021 WJCT News 89.9. To see more, visit WJCT News 89.9.

Michelle Corum joined WJCT as "Morning Edition" host in 2012 and brought with her more than 10 years of experience as an announcer and reporter for public radio stations in Lawrence, Kansas, and Interlochen, Michigan.