Higher UFB Concentrations Boost Beneficial Bacteria, Increase Short-Chain Fatty Acids, and Reduce Key Inflammatory Markers by up to 84%
Hydrosome Labs, a Chicago-based biotechnology company pioneering ultrafine bubble (UFB) technology, announced groundbreaking preclinical results showing that its UFB-treated water can beneficially shift the gut's bacterial balance, enhance production of body-boosting nutrients, and reduce inflammatory markers.
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In a 12-week peer-reviewed study published in the August 2025 issue of Nanomaterials, drinking water infused with UFBs caused significant shifts in gut bacteria, increasing Bacteroidetes and decreasing Firmicutes. Bacteroidetes help break down complex foods and produce compounds that support digestion and metabolism, while Firmicutes extract energy from food but can contribute to fat storage and inflammation when dominant. These changes were linked to higher levels of beneficial compounds like butyrate and valerate and lower inflammation. Notably, the results shifted with bubble concentration, showing UFB technology can be adjusted to support overall gut health in a targeted way. Although current methods capture only part of the gut microbiome, the results suggest UFBs could be a promising tool for improving digestive and metabolic health.
“We observed not just incremental changes, but coordinated biological shifts once UFB concentrations reached a specific threshold – a discovery that opens up new possibilities for targeted microbiome modulation,” said Nick Jackowetz, PhD, Senior Vice President and Principal Scientist at Hydrosome Labs. “Our research suggests this could help functional food and beverage developers create products that more effectively boost beneficial bacteria, enhance the metabolites they produce, and reduce markers of inflammation, which ultimately supports better gut health for consumers.”
The study focused on female Sprague Dawley rats and compared health and gut microbiome outcomes between animals that drank water treated with Hydrosome's UFB technology and a control group that drank regular deionized water. Rats were housed individually under controlled temperature, humidity, and light and dark conditions, with free access to standard chow and water. UFB-treated water was administered over 12 weeks, with concentrations increased midway to evaluate dose-dependent effects. Blood and fecal samples were collected at multiple time points to monitor general health, inflammatory markers, gut bacteria composition, and short-chain fatty acid production. At the end of the study, liver, kidneys, and colon tissue samples were collected and examined microscopically for histopathological changes. This approach allowed researchers to evaluate how UFB-treated water influences gut microbiota, metabolic activity, and overall physiological health in a controlled rodent model.
Key findings from the study include:
— Rats given high-concentrationUFB water had 122% more Bacteroidetes and 43% less Firmicutes in their gut compared to rats drinking regular deionized water.
— UFB water increased the presence of beneficial short-chain fatty acids, specifically butyrate by 56% and valerate by 63%, supporting better gut health and overall wellness.
— Inflammatory markers dropped significantly:TNF-a fell 84%, IL-1B decreased 41%, and IL-10 went down 70% in UFB-treated rats.
— Most results showed stronger effects at higherUFB levels, suggesting that the benefits depend on reaching a certain threshold rather than a gradual increase.
“This study is one example of how we're changing the role of water in product development,” said Bob Jacobs, President of Hydrosome Labs. “For decades, companies have treated water as a passive ingredient. Our technology effectively turns water from a filler to a functional ingredient. That shift in thinking is what's exciting innovators and product developers the most.”
This research establishes foundational evidence that UFB water can create favorable conditions for beneficial gut microbiome activity, driving both metabolic and immune system improvements in a concentration-dependent manner. While further studies are needed to fully characterize the underlying microbial mechanisms and determine optimal dosing, this research highlights the potential of Hydrosome Labs' UFB technology as a novel tool for targeted gut health interventions and future therapeutic applications.
ABOUT HYDROSOME LABSHydrosome Labs is a Chicago-based B-to-B biotechnology company on a mission to change lives by changing water. Its technology, Hydrosome H2O, is a natural and chemical-free process that improves the power of water through the emerging science of ultrafine bubbles. The innovative process delivers active ingredients to cells more efficiently and completely with multiple applications across precision fermentation, personal care and cosmetics, beverages, and controlled environment agriculture. The company and advisors include business and R&D executives from Fortune 500 companies like P&G, Constellation Brands, Goldman Sachs, Nestle Health Sciences, and the Intercontinental Exchange, owner of the New York Stock Exchange. For more information, visit www.hydrosomelabs.com.
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SOURCE Hydrosome Labs
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