A Western diet, rich in fat and poor in fiber, can weaken the gut protective mucosa and increase the risk of infection and inflammation. Now, Umeå researchers have identified a milk-derived molecule that can significantly strengthen the function of the intestinal mucosa and pave the way for new dietary strategies.
“Our study shows that the milk-derived molecule can act as a decoy substrate for mucus-degrading bacteria, which helps to protect the host’s mucus barrier even in the fiber-deficient conditions,” says researcher Björn Schröder, Department of Molecular Biology at Umeå University, who has led the study now published in Food Research International.
Positive effects on the gut
The molecule in question, casein glycomacropeptide (CGMP), is a protein with sugar molecules that occurs naturally in cheese whey. In studies on mice fed on a “Western diet,” Schröder and his team were able to show that CGMP has several positive effects on the gut. It stimulated the production of mucus, made the gut wall less permeable and favored the growth of beneficial bacteria—especially Bifidobacterium.
The effects depended on how much sugar was attached to the molecule, a modification called sialylation. The researchers also saw that CGMP increased the amount of small fatty acids in the gut, especially propionate. This fatty acid is known to strengthen the gut protective barrier and contribute to a healthy mucosa.
“This is a clear example of how something we eat can positively affect the interaction between the body and gut bacteria,” says Supapit Wongkuna, postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Molecular Biology at Umeå University, and first author of the study.
Crucial collaboration with industry
The study was conducted in collaboration with Arla Foods Ingredients in Denmark, a global player in dairy-based ingredients. The collaboration was crucial for the researchers to have access to tailor-made CGMP fractions with varying levels of sialylation.
For Arla, the collaboration not only means a contribution to research, but also the opportunity to further develop its ingredients based on scientific results.
“We are proud to be able to support research that investigates the health-promoting potential of proteins in whey. This study shows that CGMP has value far beyond its traditional uses,” says Ann Bjørnshave, project manager at Arla Foods Ingredients.
The research highlights the possibility of reusing dairy compounds as a prebiotic food supplement.
“We see a very promising opportunity to not only counteract the negative effects of a Western diet, but also actively promote gut health and well-being,” says Schröder.
More information:
Supapit Wongkuna et al, Milk-derived casein glycomacropeptide improves colonic mucus function under Western-style diet feeding in a sialylation-dependent manner, Food Research International (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.117206
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