NatureKnit® Scientific Study

Research consistently highlights the correlation between sufficient dietary fibre consumption and improved longevity. Specifically, plant fibre supports the health of the gut microbiome, the complex ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms found in our digestive tract. 

Exciting new findings show that overall health is linked not only to the sheer number of bacteria in the gut, but also to their diversity (variety). A resilient and well-balanced microbiome plays a significant role in our health, energy, mood, focus, sleep and beyond.

However, many plant fibres commonly found in fibre supplements have been isolated and purified from their original plant source, which means they’re missing vital dietary components like prebiotic polyphenols crucial for whole-body health. A unique and innovative upcycled fruit and fibre complex, NatureKnit® binds a diverse range of fruit and vegetable fibres to their native polyphenols and has a slower fermentation profile essential for gentle digestion.

In fact, LC-MS chemistry shows that NatureKnit® carries over 90 unique polyphenols from five varieties, including apple, carrot, blueberry, cranberry, and spinach. A gold-standard study demonstrates its impressive impact on the microbiome from just six hours onwards. We unpack the findings here…

What benefits were they seeking?

Researchers compared purified organic fibres, specifically inulin and psyllium, and a negative Control with NatureKnit®, assessing their effects on microbial community composition and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Postbiotic SCFAs are key microbial metabolites imperative not just for gut health, but robust immunity, cardiovascular health and even long-term metabolic wellbeing.

The 48-hour ex vivo study analysed faecal samples from three healthy adults, using the validated M-SHIME® model, an advanced simulation of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem.

 

What were the results?

 

Increased SCFA production


When compared to inulin, psyllium and the Control, NatureKnit® encouraged significantly greater SCFA production with a 45% increase compared to the Control.

Enhanced beneficial bacterial abundance

The study also showed that NatureKnit® had the most significant impact on the abundance of total healthy gut bacteria, demonstrating:

• 70% increase 

• +42% vs psyllium

• +21% vs inulin

Improved beneficial bacterial diversity

In the 48-hour observation, NatureKnit® also had a far greater effect on the richness of beneficial bacterial strains, reaching 680 counts/ml compared to psyllium (at 652 counts/ml), Control (at 496 counts/ml) and inulin (490 counts/ml).

Increased healthy bacterial growth

NatureKnit® even demonstrated remarkable impact on the growth of the four major beneficial bacterial dominant groups linked to whole-body health:

• Bacteroidetes rose by 113%

• Actinobacteriota grew by 91%

• Proteobacteria increased 54%

• Firmicutes up 38%

The study concluded that the pre- and postbiotic benefits of NatureKnit®’s plant polyphenols proved to have more impact on not only beneficial bacterial abundance, diversity and growth, but also SCFA production when compared to purified fibres.

Study reference: Govaert M, et al. (2025). Effects of NatureKnit™, a Blend of Fruit and Vegetable Fibres Rich in Naturally Occurring Bound Polyphenols, on the Metabolic Activity and Community Composition of the Human Gut Microbiome Using the M-SHIME® Gastrointestinal Model. Microorganisms, 13(3), 613.