A new study in mice has revealed that adding 'friendly' bacteria to the diet might one day help in reducing fat absorption.

For the study, a   mice was used.

The mice was fed with strains of 'probiotic' Lactobacillus , whose gut microbes had been replaced by those that usually live in the human gut.

The researcher had different bile acids from the norm, favouring enzymes that reduce the amount of fat digested.

More fat is available for the microbes, and you then 'poo' the microbes out.

The researchers said that the changes may only reduce fat absorption by a little, but this could have an impact on obesity if sustained over several years.