Gut Bacteria Index
Use our interactive tool to learn about every type of gut bacteria we test (listed A - Z) and its role in the gut and our health. Each card displays the bacterium’s name, short summary, and whether it's helpful or harmful to us. Click “Read More” for detailed info.
About the data
We've analysed microbiome data taken from a biobank of over 50,000 individuals.
The human gut microbiome is an extremely complex and dynamic ecosystem. There is no “black and white” categorisation when it comes to gut bacteria, as their roles can shift depending on the host’s overall microbiome, diet, lifestyle, and genetic factors.
Context-dependent
What may be considered "beneficial" or "harmful" for one individual may not be the case for another. The effects of specific bacteria are highly dependent on the unique balance of microbes within each person’s gut. In other words, a bacterium may support health in one Individual while contributing to imbalances in another.
We have simplified scientific data
The classifications and summaries on this page have been simplified to aid understanding and are based on current scientific evidence and our own research. They represent a general overview and do not capture the full incredibly complexed range of interactions and nuances found in gut microbiome research.
An area of growing research
Gut microbiology is a rapidly evolving field. As new research emerges, our understanding may change.
How can I test my gut bacteria?
Our gut microbiome test measures all of the bacteria types listed above. If you want to test your gut bacteria, a gut microbiome test is a helpful way to get the full picture of what is going on in your gut.
References
Derrien, M., Vaughan, E.E., Plugge, C.M. & de Vos, W.M. (2004). Akkermansia muciniphila gen. nov., sp. nov., a human intestinal mucin-degrading bacterium. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 54(5), 1469–1476.
Plovier, H. et al. (2017). A purified membrane protein from Akkermansia muciniphila or the pasteurized bacterium improves metabolism in obese and diabetic mice. Nature Medicine, 23(1), 107–113.
Sokol, H. et al. (2008). Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is an anti-inflammatory commensal bacterium identified by gut microbiota analysis of Crohn’s disease patients. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 105(43), 16731–16736.
Human Microbiome Project Consortium. (2012). Structure, function and diversity of the healthy human microbiome. Nature, 486, 207–214.
Rupnik, M., Wilcox, M.H. & Gerding, D.N. (2009). Clostridium difficile infection: new developments in epidemiology and pathogenesis. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 7(7), 526–536.
Silva, J. et al. (2017). Campylobacter: Important zoonotic foodborne pathogen. Food Research International, 100, 17–28.
Lebeer, S., Vanderleyden, J. & De Keersmaecker, S.C.J. (2008). Genes and molecules of lactobacilli supporting probiotic action. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, 72(4), 728–764.
O’Callaghan, A. & van Sinderen, D. (2016). Bifidobacteria and Their Role as Members of the Human Gut Microbiota. Frontiers in Microbiology, 7, 925.
Qin, J. et al. (2010). A human gut microbial gene catalogue established by metagenomic sequencing. Nature, 464(7285), 59–65.
Schnorr, S.L. et al. (2014). Gut microbiome of the Hadza hunter-gatherers. Nature Communications, 5, 3654.
Ley, R.E. et al. (2006). Human gut microbes associated with obesity. Nature, 444, 1022–1023.
Arumugam, M. et al. (2011). Enterotypes of the human gut microbiome. Nature, 473, 174–180.
Additional peer-reviewed studies and review articles on individual gut bacteria (e.g., Prevotella, Ruminococcus, Fusobacterium) have also informed our simplified summaries.
Bifidobacterium: The good gut bacteria
Fibre rich foods for gut health.
The classifications and summaries on this page have been simplified for educational purposes based on current scientific evidence. The human gut microbiome is highly complex and dynamic, and individual responses may vary.