Metabolic & Cardiometabolic · Gut & Microbiome
pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila improves insulin sensitivity
In plain terms: Does the gut bacterium Akkermansia improve how the body handles insulin?
Yes in one small human trial, but it's early and the authors have a commercial stake.
📅 Last reviewed: 2026-07-15 ⓘ
Evidence ladder
How far up the ladder this claim has climbed. A high consensus on a low rung means "consistent so far," not "proven in people."
Top evidence so far: Human trials (RCT / n-of-1)
How the studies fall
What the evidence shows
Pasteurized A. muciniphila improved insulin sensitivity, insulinaemia and total cholesterol in a small exploratory human RCT — but GLP-1 was not a demonstrated clinical endpoint, and the authors hold commercial IP.
The evidence (14)
| Source | Grade | Stance | Quality | Finding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depommier C, Everard A, Druart C, Plovier H, Van Hul M, Vieira-Silva S, Falony G, Raes J, Maiter D, Delzenne NM, de Barsy M, Loumaye A, Hermans MP, Thissen JP, de Vos WM, Cani PD 2019 · Nat Med | RCT | supports | moderate | Proof-of-concept RCT n=32 pasteurized Akkermansia improved insulin sensitivity +28.6% P=.002 vs placebo |
| Chang Y, Zhang C, Li Z, Wang S, Wu J, Xie J, Cheng X 2026 · Frontiers in immunology | animal | mixed | moderate | STZ-diabetic mice; A. muciniphila-derived EVs (AmEVs) improved glucose/insulin/pyruvate tolerance, outperforming heat-inactivated (pasteurized-analog) whole bacteria; no human insulin-sensitivity data |
| Shaheen N, Khursheed W, Gurung B, Wang S 2025 · Microbiol Res | meta-analysis | mixed | moderate | Narrative review, no pooling (abstract basis): 'This review synthesizes current literature on A. muciniphila, emphasizing its role in conditions such as metabolic disorders ...' It asserts, without new data, 'Both live and pasteurized forms are effective, with pasteurized, particularly Amuc_1100, showing enhanced benefits.' Review — zero weight; recorded grade 'meta-analysis' is wrong. |
| Pai CS, Wang CY, Hung WW, Hung WC, Tsai HJ, Chang CC, Hwang SJ, Dai CY, Ho WY, Tsai YC 2022 · J Pers Med | observational | mixed | low | JPM 2022 cross-sectional n=154 T2D low Akkermansia assoc greater IR; correlational |
| Abuqwider JN, Mauriello G, Altamimi M 2021 · Microorganisms | animal | supports | low | Review concludes A. muciniphila supplementation (live and pasteurized) is effective in preventing/treating obesity and insulin resistance preclinically. |
| Depommier C, Everard A, Druart C, Maiter D, Thissen JP, Loumaye A, Hermans MP, Delzenne NM, de Vos WM, Cani PD 2021 · Gut Microbes | observational | mixed | low | Serum metabolomics from the human proof-of-concept trial identified A. muciniphila-driven shifts consistent with improved insulin sensitivity/metabolic health. |
| Wang CH, Yen HR, Lu WL, Ho HH, Lin WY, Kuo YW, Huang YY, Tsai SY, Lin HC 2022 · Frontiers in Endocrinology | RCT | tested-null | low | Adjuvant probiotic incl. Akkermansia in T1DM gave some immune/metabolic benefit but insulin-sensitivity endpoints were limited/heterogeneous. |
| Huang B, Xian Y, Xue W, Pu Z, Kong P, Li P, Zhao Y, Tai L, Chen Z, Lan Z, Liu HW, Jiang X, Chen AJ 2025 · Frontiers in microbiology | animal | mixed | low | HFD mouse; novel strain AKM Lab-01 live+pasteurized+powdered all reduced weight gain (~10%) and improved glucose/lipids/insulin resistance; no HOMA-IR number given; n unspecified per group |
| Plovier H, Everard A, Druart C, Depommier C, Van Hul M, Geurts L, Chilloux J, Ottman N, Duparc T, Lichtenstein L, Myridakis A, Delzenne NM, Klievink J, Bhattacharjee A, van der Ark KC, Aalvink S, Martinez LO, Dumas ME, Maiter D, Loumaye A, Hermans MP, Thissen JP, Belzer C, de Vos WM, Cani PD 2016 · Nat Med | animal | supports | moderate | Plovier 2017 NatMed pasteurized Akk/Amuc_1100 improves metabolism obese/diabetic MICE. ANIMAL |
| Chelakkot C, Choi Y, Kim DK, Park HT, Ghim J, Kwon Y, Jeon J, Kim MS, Jee YK, Gho YS, Park HS, Kim YK, Ryu SH 2018 · Experimental Molecular Medicine | animal | supports | moderate | A. muciniphila-derived extracellular vesicles improved gut barrier and glucose tolerance in HFD mice, a mechanistic route to insulin sensitivity. |
| Ojetti V, Saviano A, Rizzi A, Tartaglione L, Di Leo M, Quaranta G, Masucci L, Pitocco D 2026 · Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci | RCT | supports | moderate | Inulin supplementation raised A. muciniphila and improved metabolic control in T1D subjects, linking higher Akkermansia to better glycemic outcomes. |
| Suenaert P, Segers A, Rymenans L, Devroye H, Moll JM, Cani PD, de Vos WM 2026 · Gut Microbes | RCT | mixed | moderate | Suenaert 2026 phase-2 RCT PRIMARY Matsuda endpoint NULL in ITT; only subgroups+GLP-1 positive; downgrade supports->mixed |
| Lawenius L, Scheffler JM, Gustafsson KL, Henning P, Nilsson KH, Colldén H, Islander U, Plovier H, Cani PD, de Vos WM, Ohlsson C, Sjögren K 2020 · Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab | animal | tested-null | moderate | Pasteurized A. muciniphila protected ovariectomized mice from bone loss; metabolic/insulin-sensitivity effects were modest in this model. |
| Depommier C, Vitale RM, Iannotti FA, Silvestri C, Flamand N, Druart C, Everard A, Pelicaen R, Maiter D, Thissen JP, Loumaye A, Hermans MP, Delzenne NM, de Vos WM, Di Marzo V, Cani PD 2021 · Cells | mechanism | tested-null | low | Pasteurized A. muciniphila beneficially affected adipose/metabolic parameters in obese mice, reinforcing the insulin-sensitizing proof-of-concept. |
Disagree, or know a study we missed?
We grade by evidence, not opinions. The way to weigh in is to point us to a study we haven't cited (check the evidence table above first), or to flag a problem with one we have. Every submission is reviewed; if it holds up, the grade updates and shows in Science Changes Its Mind.
Opens a short form. You'll sign in with Google so submissions are tied to a real account — we don't display your identity, and we only accept a link we can verify (PubMed, DOI, ClinicalTrials.gov).
Educational only, not medical advice. Grades and scores reflect published evidence weighted by study design and quality; see the methodology.