Exploring the role of bifidobacteria in obesity management: therapeutic application, modulatory mechanisms, and dietary strategies

The global rise in obesity and its associated metabolic syndrome has garnered significant attention in recent years. Targeting the gut microbiota has been proposed as a promising strategy for the treatment of obesity and its related metabolic disorders. Bifidobacterium, one of the typical intestinal microorganisms in healthy individuals, has been recognized for its beneficial role in maintaining overall health. Numerous animal and human studies have elucidated the beneficial impact of bifidobacteria in maintaining the physiological and metabolic well-being of the host. Previous studies have found that bifidobacteria play a crucial role in regulating intestinal microbial communities and metabolism, as well as alleviating obesity by managing appetite, improving insulin resistance, modulating cholesterol and lipid metabolism, reshaping immune marker levels, and reducing inflammation. However, there remains a lack of comprehensive exploration into the potential correlation between bifidobacteria and obesity. By exploring the link between bifidobacteria and obesity based on recent research, this review aims to provide a theoretical foundation for elucidating the fundamental mechanisms underlying probiotic bifidobacteria intervention and promote the therapeutic applications of targeted regulation of microbial communities for obesity treatment.