Where is Akkermansia Found and How to Support It?

January 8, 2026 •

4 min read

According to research, the beneficial bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila makes up 1–4% of the total gut microbiome in healthy adults. This microbe is primarily found residing in the mucus layer of the intestinal lining, and you cannot get Akkermansia directly from foods.

Quick Summary

This article explains that Akkermansia is found within the human gut's mucus layer and is not present in food sources due to its anaerobic nature. It details how certain dietary components, lifestyle factors, and supplementation can help increase or support its population.

Key Points

Intestinal Mucus Layer: The primary location where Akkermansia muciniphila is found is the mucus lining of the human gut, where it thrives by consuming mucin.
Mucus Renewal: By degrading mucin, Akkermansia stimulates intestinal cells to produce new mucus, which helps to reinforce the gut barrier and protect against pathogens.
Not in Food: You cannot get Akkermansia directly from fermented foods because it is an anaerobe that cannot survive in oxygen-rich environments.
Prebiotic Foods: Certain foods rich in prebiotics, such as onions, garlic, bananas, and asparagus, provide fermentable fibers that nourish and support the growth of Akkermansia.
Polyphenol Sources: Foods high in polyphenols, including berries, grapes, green tea, and dark chocolate, can help stimulate the growth of Akkermansia.
Supplementation: Direct supplementation with live or pasteurized (heat-treated) Akkermansia is available and has shown potential benefits for metabolic health, though it can be expensive.
Metabolic Health: Higher levels of Akkermansia are often correlated with better metabolic health markers, improved insulin sensitivity, and reduced inflammation.
Lifestyle Impact: Factors like diet, aging, antibiotic use, and stress can influence Akkermansia levels in the gut microbiome.

The Primary Habitat: The Intestinal Mucus Layer

Akkermansia muciniphila is a unique, anaerobic bacterium that thrives in a very specific niche: the mucus lining of the human and mammalian gut. This protective layer, secreted by specialized goblet cells in the intestines, is not just a passive coating; it is a dynamic and thriving ecosystem. Akkermansia plays a keystone role here by feeding on mucin, the main protein component of mucus, for its carbon, nitrogen, and energy sources.

This mucin-degrading process might sound counterintuitive, but it is a critical function for maintaining gut health. By breaking down and consuming the inner layer of mucus, Akkermansia signals the intestinal cells to produce new, thicker mucus. This process of continuous renewal and strengthening of the gut barrier is vital for protecting the intestinal wall from pathogens and toxins and is a hallmark of a healthy gut environment.

Where Else Has Akkermansia Been Detected?

While most abundant in the colon, research has found traces of Akkermansia-like sequences in other areas of the body, though their function there may differ. These include:

Human Milk: This suggests a mechanism for transmission from mother to infant, helping to establish the infant's gut microbiome early in life.
Oral Cavity: Detected at low levels in the oral cavity, though its exact role is less understood compared to its function in the gut.
Appendix: The appendix may serve as a reservoir for beneficial bacteria like Akkermansia, aiding in the recolonization of the gut after a disturbance, such as antibiotic use.
Small Intestine: Traces can be found in the small intestine, though conditions like faster transit time and higher oxygen levels make it a less favorable environment than the large intestine.

Boosting Your Akkermansia Levels: It's All About the Diet

Since Akkermansia is an obligate anaerobe (meaning it cannot survive in the presence of oxygen), you cannot acquire it by consuming typical probiotic foods like yogurt or kimchi. Instead, the most effective natural method is to provide the bacteria with the foods and nutrients they need to thrive. This primarily includes a diet rich in prebiotics and polyphenols.

The Role of Prebiotics

Prebiotics are non-digestible fibers that act as food for beneficial gut bacteria. Some key prebiotics that have been shown to support Akkermansia growth include:

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS): Found in foods like onions, garlic, bananas, asparagus, and Jerusalem artichokes.
Oligofructose: A type of FOS that has been shown to increase Akkermansia in animal models.
Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs): Found in human breast milk and in some prebiotic supplements, HMOs are known to feed specific beneficial bacteria.

The Power of Polyphenols

Polyphenols are plant compounds with antioxidant properties. Certain polyphenols have been shown to promote the growth of Akkermansia.

Cranberries and Grapes: Studies have shown that polyphenols from cranberries and Concord grapes can significantly increase Akkermansia abundance in mice.
Green Tea: While results have been mixed, some research suggests green tea can support a healthy gut microbiome.
Dark Chocolate: Cocoa is rich in polyphenols and can help nourish beneficial gut bacteria.

Comparison of Methods to Boost Akkermansia


Method	How it Works	Pros	Cons
Dietary Intervention (Prebiotics)	Provides non-digestible fibers that serve as a food source.	Natural, easily incorporated into daily life, and beneficial for overall health.	Requires consistent, long-term dietary changes; results may vary depending on diet composition.
Dietary Intervention (Polyphenols)	Delivers plant compounds with antioxidant properties that can selectively promote bacterial growth.	Offers additional antioxidant benefits; found in common, healthy foods.	Inconsistent results depending on the specific polyphenol type; concentration in food can vary.
Supplementation (Live Akkermansia)	Introduces living Akkermansia directly into the gut.	Direct, targeted delivery; potentially faster results.	Expensive; challenging to manufacture due to oxygen sensitivity; efficacy can be dependent on capsule technology.
Supplementation (Pasteurized/Postbiotic)	Uses inactivated Akkermansia or its metabolites, which can still provide health benefits.	More stable and easier to store than live versions; effective in human trials.	Less well-established long-term effects compared to living strains; does not colonize the gut.
Lifestyle Factors (Fasting, Exercise)	Indirectly promotes Akkermansia by encouraging mucus production and gut diversity.	Free and has a wide range of other health benefits.	Requires discipline; effectiveness can vary based on individual metabolism.

The Promising Path of Akkermansia Supplements

For those with persistently low levels, or who seek a more direct approach, supplementation has emerged as a viable option. Unlike most probiotics, Akkermansia is highly sensitive to oxygen, making it difficult to manufacture and deliver as a live, shelf-stable product. However, recent advancements have made this possible, and research also shows that pasteurized (heat-treated) Akkermansia or its derived proteins (known as postbiotics) retain many of their beneficial effects. Clinical trials have shown that pasteurized Akkermansia supplementation can significantly improve insulin sensitivity, reduce fat mass, and lower cholesterol in overweight and obese individuals.

Conclusion

Akkermansia is found naturally in the mucus layer of the human intestinal tract, playing a vital role in maintaining gut barrier integrity and metabolic health. It is not something you can get directly from food, but its populations can be significantly boosted through dietary strategies focusing on prebiotics and polyphenols. For a more direct intervention, pasteurized or live Akkermansia supplements are now available, backed by promising but still emerging clinical research. Supporting Akkermansia through a balanced diet, lifestyle, and targeted supplementation represents a key strategy for enhancing overall gut health. For further information, see the review from MDPI on Akkermansia.

A note of caution: While promising, supplementation should be discussed with a healthcare professional, especially for individuals with pre-existing conditions, as the effects can be context-dependent.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you cannot. Akkermansia muciniphila is an obligate anaerobe, meaning it cannot survive in the presence of oxygen. This makes it impossible to find in common fermented or probiotic foods like yogurt, kefir, or kimchi.

You can support the growth of existing Akkermansia by consuming foods rich in prebiotics and polyphenols. Good sources include onions, garlic, bananas, asparagus, berries, grapes, green tea, and dark chocolate.

Supplement manufacturers use special techniques to deliver live, viable Akkermansia in oxygen-free capsules. Additionally, research shows that even pasteurized (heat-treated) Akkermansia retains many of its health benefits, and these forms are also available as supplements.

The main location for Akkermansia is the mucus layer of the intestinal wall, particularly in the large intestine. It has also been detected in smaller amounts in other parts of the digestive tract, in human breast milk, and the appendix.

Akkermansia feeds on the mucin that makes up the gut's mucus lining. This process promotes the continuous renewal of the mucus layer, strengthening the gut barrier and contributing to better intestinal integrity and overall metabolic health.

The use of Akkermansia supplements is generally considered safe but should be approached with caution and discussed with a healthcare professional. Studies suggest it may not be suitable for individuals with certain conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, or immediately following antibiotic treatment.

Yes, some research indicates that fasting can increase Akkermansia populations. This is likely because during fasting, when food is scarce, the bacteria feed more on the gut's mucus layer, encouraging its turnover and proliferation.