ConsensusLab

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Metabolic & Cardiometabolic · Gut & Microbiome

Does a gut bacterium improve how the body handles insulin?

The claim, precisely: pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila improves insulin sensitivity

Strong support Metabolic & Cardiometabolic
RefutedContestedStrong support
consensus score 0.73

Yes in one small human trial, but it's early and the authors have a commercial stake.

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)

MechanismIn-vitroAnimalObservationalRCTMeta-analysis

How the studies fall

4 support 0 contradict 0 tested null 1 mixed · 4 sources, 3 independent groups

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 (5)

SourceGradeStanceQualityFinding
Depommier C, et al.
2019 · Nat Med		 RCT supports moderate Proof-of-concept RCT n=32 pasteurized Akkermansia improved insulin sensitivity +28.6% P=.002 vs placebo
Pai
2022 · J Pers Med		 observational supports low [FT-verified] JPM 2022 cross-sectional n=154 T2D low Akkermansia assoc greater IR; correlational
Plovier 2016
2016 · Nat Med		 animal supports moderate [FT-verified] Plovier 2017 NatMed pasteurized Akk/Amuc_1100 improves metabolism obese/diabetic MICE. ANIMAL
Depommier C, et al.
2019 · Nat Med		 RCT supports moderate n=32 RCT: improved insulin sensitivity/insulinaemia/cholesterol; GLP-1 not shown; de Vos/Cani IP conflict
Suenaert
2026 · Gut Microbes		 RCT mixed moderate [FT-verified] Suenaert 2026 phase-2 RCT PRIMARY Matsuda endpoint NULL in ITT; only subgroups+GLP-1 positive; downgrade supports->mixed

Educational only, not medical advice. Grades and scores reflect published evidence weighted by study design and quality; see the methodology.