Cell Reports, February 2026 | Ahmed A. Shibl et al., NYU Abu Dhabi | UAE Healthy Future Study
A study published in Cell Reports in January found that obese people carry sharply different bacterial profiles in their saliva than people without. Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi, led by biologist Aashish Jha, analyzed oral microbiome samples from 628 adults in the UAE Healthy Future Study.
Those with obesity had higher levels of pro-inflammatory bacteria and lower levels of the strains of bacteria that support metabolism. Their saliva also showed elevated chemical by-products linked to cardiovascular and metabolic risk.
Whether the bacterial imbalance causes obesity or results from it is not yet clear. But several of the pro-inflammatory species identified are already known to trigger systemic inflammation, a recognized driver of metabolic disease. “The mouth [is] an important, yet often overlooked, part of the body’s metabolic system,” Jha said.
The oral microbiome responds quickly to diet and hygiene. Cutting sugar and ultra-processed foods reduces the food supply for pro-inflammatory bacteria. Fiber supports the beneficial ones. Consistent brushing, flossing, and probiotic supplementation keep the overall community in check.
