Review: fermented protein foods and the gut-muscle axis
This review examines whether fermented protein foods could influence skeletal muscle through the gut-muscle axis. Human studies suggest favourable effects on metabolic regulation, inflammatory pathways and gut microbial ecology, but direct evidence for muscle protein synthesis, muscle mass or function remains limited. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The gut microbiome may affect skeletal muscle mass and function through a bidirectional network called the gut-muscle axis. [1]
Fermented protein foods are protein-rich matrices transformed by microbial activity, combining modified protein structures, bioactive peptides and live microorganisms or their components. [1]
Human studies suggest favourable effects on metabolic regulation, inflammatory pathways and gut microbial ecology, but direct evidence for muscle protein synthesis, muscle mass or function remains limited. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Narrative review of mechanistic, preclinical and human evidence (abstract only)
- Population / context
- Skeletal muscle and gut microbiome in humans and preclinical models, as covered by the reviewed literature
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 25, 2026
Gut-muscle axis and fermented protein foods
The review starts from the idea that the gut microbiome may affect skeletal muscle mass and function through a bidirectional network called the gut-muscle axis. Fermented protein foods are described as protein-rich matrices transformed by microbial activity. They combine modified protein structures, bioactive peptides and live microorganisms or their components, which could modulate skeletal muscle physiology. The authors review mechanistic, preclinical and human evidence on this potential.
Supporting source [1]
Human signals versus missing muscle outcomes
Emerging human studies suggest favourable effects of fermented protein foods on metabolic regulation, inflammatory pathways and gut microbial ecology. However, direct evidence that these foods affect muscle protein synthesis, muscle mass or function remains limited. The review therefore does not establish a muscle benefit in humans; the observed human signals concern metabolic, inflammatory and microbial measures, not muscle outcomes.
Supporting source [1]
Heterogeneous studies and open comparison questions
The literature is characterised by considerable heterogeneity in interventions and outcome measures. The authors say studies with comprehensive microbiome characterisation, multi-omics approaches and direct skeletal muscle phenotyping are needed. Such studies should determine whether fermented protein foods offer advantages over conventional protein foods or over established microbiome-targeted strategies such as probiotic supplementation. The review frames this as a future direction, not a demonstrated advantage.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
This explainer is based only on the abstract; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract reports a review of mechanistic, preclinical and human evidence and notes considerable heterogeneity in interventions and outcome measures, but gives no study numbers, designs or effect sizes. Human signals concern metabolic, inflammatory and microbial measures, not muscle outcomes.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Farsi DN, Cotter PD, O'Sullivan O. · europepmc.org · September 25, 2026