Report of The Kohoku Town Health Project Results, vol.1 → As a result of drinking “sonomono natto” for two months, bifidobacteria increased in men and women!

Demonstration of health effects of dried natto powder made from Kohoku town soybeans and SONOMONO natto bacterium strain

After a laborious research process, we were finally able to know the results of a scientific investigation that sought to discover the health effects due to the consumption of natto powder (presentation in capsules) on November 30, 2021.
This project started two years ago. During this time, the topics of “immunity” and “gut activity” have acquired more relevancy, so I am very excited to announce the results of our research. There are numerous discoveries in this project. For this reason, I will report the results in a series of articles, so please constantly visit our website to be informed.

A first-of-its-kind study that analyzed data from 204 people

To learn about the health effects of natto powder ingestion, we analyzed the intestinal bacterial composition of 204 participants after and before ingesting sonomono natto powder capsules for two months. The study was as follows.
The experiment divided male and female participants into two groups—one group consumed natto powder capsules daily for two months, and the other group a placebo product. Each group collected and sent stool samples before starting the experiment, one month after taking the capsules, and two months later.
Using DNA sequencing technology, we analyzed the genetic data of intestinal bacteria extracted from the participants’ stool and studied the changes in the intestinal bacteria composition.

Amazing! Men and women increased the number of intestinal bifidobacteria!

Scientific analysis of the participants’ intestinal bacteria genetic data revealed an increase in bifidobacteria in men and women. However, the increase was more notorious in women.

Bifidobacteria work in the large intestine protecting our body

Lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria are intrinsically related to intestinal activity. Both are considered beneficial bacteria that work well on the intestines, but their functions and residence are different.

Lactic acid bacteria thrive in the small intestine and bifidobacteria in the large intestine

Lactic acid bacteria mainly inhabit the large intestine and the latter half of the small intestine. It has a harmonious relationship with Bacillus natto, which populates the first half of the small intestine. Both organisms are highly compatible because Bacillus natto produces several substances that help lactic acid bacteria to proliferate.

Bifidobacteria cannot survive in the presence of oxygen, making the large intestine its habitat because it is almost oxygen-free. While it is relatively easy to replenish the gut’s lactic acid bacteria by eating fermented foods such as yogurt, getting bifidobacteria from food is challenging.

The majority of intestinal bacteria live in the large intestine. Approximately 99.9% of the good bacteria in the large intestine are bifidobacteria (about 0.1% are lactic acid bacteria). Bifidobacteria have an essential role in adjusting the condition of the large intestine and, therefore, a significant influence on human health.

The functions of bifidobacteria

①Intestinal regulation

The primary function of bifidobacteria is intestinal regulation. Bifidobacteria suppress harmful intestinal bacteria and improve the balance of intestinal bacteria. The reduction of substances produced by harmful bacteria leads to suppression of diarrhea and improvement of constipation and defecation.。

②Immunomodulatory effect

Diverse studies confirm that bifidobacteria stimulate the intestines to prevent infection and improve allergic symptoms. The acetic acid produced by bifidobacteria acidifies the intestines, suppressings the growth of harmful bacteria. It also activates intestinal mobility, prevents infection, and suppresses the production of carcinogenic putrefactive products.

③Improvement of lipid metabolism

Laboratory experiments reported that feeding mice with bifidobacteria decreased triglycerides and produced weight loss. This kind of discovery shows the relationship between obesity and the intestinal environment. Some experts recommend a diet that increases the amount of good intestinal bacteria to prevent obesity.

Intestinal bifidobacteria decrease with age

Bifidobacterium begins to inhabit the intestines shortly after birth and accounts for more than 99% of the intestinal flora of babies.

However, the bifidobacteria level decreases vigorously with aging, dropping to about 10% in adults and less than 1% in people over 60 years. Therefore, keeping an adequate level of bifidobacteria in the large intestine is essential to suppress the increase of harmful bacteria and improve intestinal flora.

Let’s increase intestinal bifidobacteria with sonomono natto powder!

Bifidobacterium sharply decreases with aging, and it isn’t easy to replenish from food. Is there any viable solution?

Yes, there is. The Kohoku town project demonstrated that sonomono natto powder capsules intake is a reliable way to increase intestinal bifidobacteria.
There are still many surprising discoveries to report from this research. Please continue to visit our website to stay informed. C. Tanaka.