Scientists discover a hidden gut bacterium linked to good health
Science Daily
February 14, 2026
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Scientists have uncovered a previously unknown group of gut bacteria, CAG-170, which appears to be strongly linked to good health. This bacterium was consistently found at higher levels in healthy individuals across 39 countries and at lower levels in people with chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Researchers believe CAG-170 plays a critical role in maintaining gut health by producing Vitamin B12 and enzymes that help break down carbohydrates, sugars, and fibers. These functions suggest that while CAG-170 may not directly benefit the host, it supports other beneficial bacteria in the gut ecosystem, helping to maintain balance.
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Cambridge, utilized advanced computational techniques to identify CAG-170's genetic fingerprint in over 11,000 gut microbiome samples. This discovery is part of a larger project called the Unified Human Gastrointestinal Genome catalogue, which maps the genetic blueprints of thousands of bacterial species in the gut. Remarkably, many of these
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Originally published on Science Daily on 2/14/2026