A guide to what Akkermansia is, Akkermansia tea, Akkermansia supplements, probiotics and foods

If you’ve conducted a a microbiome stool test (such as GI-MAP or Comprehensive stool analysis) and it’s flagged low Akkermansia, you’re not alone.

Akkermansia muciniphila has become one of the most talked-about gut bacteria because research links it to gut barrier integrity, inflammation regulation, metabolic health, and possibly the gut–brain axis.

This article explains Akkermansia in simple terms:

• What Akkermansia is
• What it means if it’s low or high on a stool test
• The best foods, teas, and supplements and probiotics to support it
• How it may affect weight, metabolism, and mental health

What is Akkermansia?

Akkermansia muciniphila is a type of beneficial gut bacterium that lives very close to the lining of your gut.

Unlike many bacteria that feed on fibre in the gut, Akkermansia feeds on mucin the gel-like substance that makes up the protective mucus layer lining your intestines.

This mucus layer is extremely important. It:

• Protects the gut wall from irritation and pathogens
• Helps prevent “leaky gut”
• Plays a role in immune balance
  

When Akkermansia is present at healthy levels, it appears to:

• Support a strong gut barrier
• Help regulate inflammation
• Be associated with better metabolic health

This is why Akkermansia is often described as a “guardian” of the gut lining.

This mucus layer is extremely important because it helps protect the gut wall from irritation and harmful pathogens, reduces the risk of increased intestinal permeability often referred to as “leaky gut,” and plays a key role in maintaining immune balance.

When Akkermansia is present at healthy levels, it appears to support a strong gut barrier, help regulate inflammation, and is often associated with better metabolic health. For this reason, Akkermansia is frequently described as a “guardian” of the gut lining.

Why is Akkermansia considered so important?

Research has consistently found that people with good metabolic health tend to have higher levels of Akkermansia, while lower levels are often seen in people with:

• Insulin resistance
• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes
• Chronic low-grade inflammation
  
  

This does not mean Akkermansia alone causes or cures these conditions. Instead, it seems to be a marker of a healthier gut environment and may actively contribute to it.

What does it mean if Akkermansia is low on a stool test?

A “low” Akkermansia result usually means that the lab found less of this bacterium than expected compared to their reference range.

Low Akkermansia is often linked (in research) with:

• Weaker gut barrier function
• Increased gut inflammation
• Blood sugar imbalance
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight

These are associations, not diagnoses.

Why Akkermansia may be low

Akkermansia levels can drop due to:

• A low-plant, low-polyphenol diet
• Very restricted diets (common in IBS or SIBO sufferers)
• Poor microbial diversity overall
• Chronic inflammation in the gut
• Certain medications

People who follow long-term very low fibre or low plant diets such as in SIBO diets sometimes see Akkermansia fall over time.

IBS and Akkermansia: what does this mean if you have IBS?

Research suggests that Akkermansia muciniphila is often reduced in people with IBS, particularly those with bloating, abdominal pain, reflux, and food sensitivities.

This is relevant because IBS is increasingly linked to:

• Gut barrier disruption
• Visceral hypersensitivity (a more reactive gut)
• Low-grade immune activation
• Changes in gut–brain signalling
  

Akkermansia lives directly within the intestinal mucus layer, which helps protect the gut lining. When levels are low, this protective barrier may be less resilient, potentially contributing to:

• Increased gut sensitivity
• Food reactions
• Bloating and discomfort
• Stress-related gut symptoms
  

Importantly, a low Akkermansia result in IBS does not mean you should immediately increase fibre aggressively or take high-dose prebiotics, as these can worsen symptoms.

In IBS, Akkermansia is best supported gently, with a focus on polyphenols, careful fibre introduction, and gut lining support rather than fermentation-heavy strategies.

What if Akkermansia is high on a stool test?

A higher Akkermansia level is not automatically a problem.

In many studies, higher Akkermansia is associated with:

• Better insulin sensitivity
• Lower inflammation
• Healthier weight regulation

However, context matters. If someone has:

• Gut pain
• Diarrhoea
• High inflammatory markers (such as calprotectin)

then any single marker—including Akkermansia—should be interpreted carefully and in combination with symptoms and other results.

Akkermansia and weight: what does the research show?

This is one of the most exciting areas of Akkermansia research.

Human studies have shown that people with higher Akkermansia levels often have:

• Better blood sugar control
• Improved insulin sensitivity
• Healthier cholesterol profiles

One well-known human trial found that a pasteurised (heat-treated) Akkermansia supplement improved insulin sensitivity and metabolic markers in overweight individuals.

Important points:

• Akkermansia is not a weight-loss pill
• It works best as part of a wider plan (diet, movement, sleep, stress)
• Effects are usually subtle and gradual

Think of Akkermansia as supporting metabolic balance, not forcing weight loss.

Akkermansia and mental health: is there a connection?

Research into the gut–brain axis is growing rapidly.

Early studies suggest Akkermansia may influence:

• Inflammation pathways linked to mood
• Stress responses
• Brain–immune communication

Most of this research is still animal or mechanistic, not large human trials. That means Akkermansia should never be viewed as a treatment for anxiety or depression.

However, because inflammation and gut health can affect mood, supporting a healthy microbiome—including Akkermansia—may be one part of a whole-person mental health approach.

Akkermansia foods: what foods support Akkermansia?

You do not get Akkermansia directly from food. Instead, you eat foods that help it grow and function well.

Akkermansia Foods- Eat these foods to help with growth

1. Polyphenol-rich foods (most important)

Polyphenols are plant compounds that act as antioxidants and signalling molecules in the gut.

Foods strongly linked with higher Akkermansia include:

• Berries (blueberries, raspberries, cranberries)
• Pomegranate
• Grapes
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Cocoa (unsweetened)
• Green tea
  
  

Polyphenols seem to:

• Encourage Akkermansia growth
• Reduce inflammation in the gut
• Support metabolic health

If you tolerate fruit poorly, start with small amounts or focus on olive oil and tea.

Akkermansia Green tea: can drinking tea increase Akkermansia?

While there is no tea that contains Akkermansia, certain teas can support the growth of Akkermansia muciniphila by feeding it indirectly.

The best-researched option is green tea.

Why green tea may support Akkermansia

Green tea is rich in polyphenols, particularly EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate). These plant compounds are not fully absorbed in the small intestine, meaning they reach the gut microbiome where they can influence bacterial balance.

Research has shown that green tea polyphenols can:

• Encourage the growth of Akkermansia muciniphila
• Improve gut barrier function
• Reduce metabolic and gut-related inflammation

Animal and mechanistic studies suggest that green tea creates a gut environment that favours Akkermansia growth rather than directly “adding” the bacteria.

How much Akkermansia tea should you drink?

• 1–3 cups of green tea per day
• Choose decaffeinated green tea if caffeine worsens reflux, palpitations, or anxiety
• Avoid drinking green tea on an empty stomach if you are prone to nausea or reflux

Green tea should be seen as a supportive habit, not a treatment on its own.

Fibre (as tolerated)

Although Akkermansia does not directly feed on fibre, overall fibre diversity supports a healthy gut ecosystem, which indirectly benefits Akkermansia.

Gentler options often include:

• Chia seeds
• Ground flaxseed
• Gluten-free oats
• Cooked and cooled rice or potatoes (resistant starch)
• PHGG (partially hydrolysed guar gum) supplement

If you have IBS or SIBO, fibre should be introduced slowly and carefully.

3. Foods that support the gut lining

Because Akkermansia muciniphila relies on a healthy mucus layer, supporting the gut lining itself is an important part of improving Akkermansia levels. The mucus layer is constantly being renewed, and this process depends on having the right nutritional building blocks and a supportive dietary environment.

Adequate protein intake is essential, as amino acids are required for the production and repair of the gut lining and the mucus layer that protects it. Consistently undereating protein, which can happen with very restricted or elimination diets, may make it harder for the gut barrier to maintain its integrity over time.

Omega-3 fatty acids also play an important role in gut lining health due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Foods such as oily fish, flaxseed, and chia seeds can help reduce low-grade inflammation in the gut and support the environment in which beneficial bacteria like Akkermansia thrive.

Equally important is limiting long-term reliance on ultra-processed foods. Diets high in additives, refined sugars, and industrial fats have been shown to negatively affect the gut microbiome and may impair the mucus layer. Focusing on mostly whole, minimally processed foods helps create a gut environment that supports both the gut lining and the beneficial bacteria that depend on it.

Together, these dietary habits help strengthen the gut barrier, reduce unnecessary inflammation, and create the conditions needed for Akkermansia and other beneficial microbes to function more effectively.Because Akkermansia depends on a healthy mucus layer, supporting gut lining health matters.

Helpful habits include:

• Adequate protein intake
• Omega-3 rich foods (oily fish, flax, chia)
• Avoiding long-term ultra-processed diets
  
  
  

Akkermansia probiotic vs Akkermansia muciniphila supplement (UK)

You may see Akkermansia described as a “probiotic,” but most Akkermansia products currently available are pasteurised, meaning the bacteria are no longer alive. This can sound confusing at first, but it is actually intentional. The best-known human studies on Akkermansia muciniphila have used pasteurised forms and still found improvements in metabolic health markers.

Pasteurised Akkermansia is used because it is more stable, easier to regulate, and may be safer for certain individuals. Research suggests that some of Akkermansia’s benefits come from how it interacts with the gut lining and immune system, rather than from it actively colonising the gut in the same way as traditional live probiotics.

Akkermansia supplements are not suitable for everyone. They are generally best considered when Akkermansia levels are clearly low on a stool test, gut symptoms are relatively stable, and there are metabolic or inflammatory concerns. They are usually not a first step for people with ongoing gut pain, severe diarrhoea, or suspected infections, where calming the gut and addressing root causes comes first.

In the UK, Akkermansia supplements are typically sold as “next-generation” or “postbiotic” products rather than standard probiotics. One example of a UK-available product is from Pendulum, which offers pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila as part of its formulation. Other products are also available, but quality, formulation, and regulation can vary.

Because Akkermansia supplements are still relatively new, it’s important to choose reputable brands and to view them as one part of a broader gut health strategy, rather than a standalone solution. Many people can improve Akkermansia levels naturally through diet, polyphenol intake, and gut-lining support without needing supplementation at all.

Why pasteurised Akkermansia is used

• It is more stable
• It may be safer for some individuals
• Human studies have shown benefits even without live bacteria

Is it right for everyone?

Not always. Akkermansia supplements are best considered when:

• Akkermansia is clearly low
• There are metabolic or inflammatory concerns
• Gut symptoms are relatively stable

They are not usually the first step for people with active gut pain, severe diarrhoea, or untreated infections.

What supplements may help Akkermansia indirectly

If you’re not ready for a direct Akkermansia supplement, other options may support it indirectly:

• Polyphenol supplements (e.g. cranberry, pomegranate extracts)
• PHGG fibre
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Gut lining nutrients (such as zinc carnosine, glutamine, if appropriate)

These should be tailored to symptoms and test results.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can Akkermansia be too low?

Low levels are common and often linked to inflammation or metabolic imbalance, but they are modifiable with diet and lifestyle changes.

Can Akkermansia be too high?

Usually not a problem on its own, but results should always be interpreted alongside symptoms and other stool markers.

How long does it take to raise Akkermansia?

Changes may take weeks to months, depending on diet, diversity, and gut health.

Is Akkermansia safe?

In studies, pasteurised Akkermansia has been well tolerated in adults. Individual suitability still matters.

Should I take an Akkermansia supplement?

Not automatically. Many people can improve levels through dietary changes alone.

Is Akkermansia low in IBS?

Yes, studies suggest Akkermansia is often reduced in IBS, particularly in people with bloating, pain, and gut sensitivity. It should be supported gently.

Can low FODMAP diets reduce Akkermansia?

In some people, long-term restrictive low-FODMAP diets may reduce beneficial bacteria, which is why reintroduction and diet diversity matter.

Can Akkermansia cause bloating?

Akkermansia itself does not usually cause bloating, but strategies used to increase it (such as high-dose fibre) can worsen symptoms if introduced too quickly.

Final thoughts

Akkermansia is one of the most exciting areas of gut microbiome research, but it is best understood as part of a wider picture rather than a standalone solution.

If your stool test shows low Akkermansia, this should be viewed as a signal about gut lining integrity and metabolic health, rather than a diagnosis in itself.


It can also be seen as an opportunity to improve overall diet quality and diversity in a way that supports the gut environment more broadly.

Ultimately, Akkermansia is just one piece of a much bigger gut health puzzle, and meaningful improvements usually come from addressing the full picture rather than focusing on a single bacterial marker alone.

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Author – Victoria Tyler BSc Hons MBANT

Victoria Tyler owns and runs two busy clinics : Nutrition and Vitality and the IBS and Gut Disorder Clinic.
Nutrition and Vitality, along with the IBS and Gut Disorder Clinic, were founded with the goal of helping patients alleviate IBS symptoms by uncovering and addressing the root causes of their digestive issues.
As a Registered Nutritional Therapist, Victoria holds a BSc (Hons) in Nutritional Therapy and has trained with the Institute of Functional Medicine. She is also accredited by BANT and CNHC.
Before transitioning into health, Victoria earned a degree in Economics and an MBA, working with corporations including Canon and Vodafone. However, her own health challenges led her to pursue a career in Nutritional Therapy.
With a passion for learning, Victoria is committed to staying at the forefront of Functional Medicine. She helps patients manage IBS and other digestive disorders, including SIBO, Candida, and IBD, by identifying and addressing their root causes.
Victoria strongly believes that every symptom has an underlying cause, and there is always a solution to every health condition. To learn more, or to see patient reviews, visit Victoria’s profile on Google.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The products and methods mentioned are not a substitute for professional medical advice from a trained healthcare specialist. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Use of the information and products discussed is at your own risk.

Medical references

1. Derrien M et al. Akkermansia muciniphila and its role in regulating host functions.
2. Cani PD et al. Improvement of metabolic parameters by pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila in humans.
3. Dao MC et al. Akkermansia muciniphila and metabolic health.
4. Plovier H et al. The gut microbiota and metabolic disorders.
5. Henning SM et al. Green tea polyphenols and gut microbiota modulation.
6. Chelakkot C et al. Akkermansia muciniphila: role in gut barrier function.