How to Increase Akkermansia Naturally: Foods, Polyphenols, HMOs & Prebiotics

Akkermansia muciniphila is one of the most influential bacteria for gut lining integrity, inflammation control, metabolic balance, and digestive stability.
But modern diets, medications, stress, and microbiota disruption often cause Akkermansia levels to decline — leading to bloating, sensitivity, weakened barrier function, and slower metabolism.

The good news: you can naturally increase Akkermansia through specific foods, nutrients, prebiotics, and microbiome-supporting compounds backed by real clinical science.

If you haven’t read the foundational overview yet, start with Blog 1:
👉 https://akkermansia.life/blogs/blog/akkermansia-the-missing-microbe-for-gut-health-oral-gut-balance-digestive-strength

And for symptoms and causes of low Akkermansia, see Blog 2:
👉 https://akkermansia.life/blogs/blog/low-akkermansia-muciniphila-causes-symptoms-how-to-restore-it-naturally

Now let’s look at how to raise Akkermansia naturally.

1. Polyphenol-Rich Foods (Clinically Supported)

Polyphenols are plant compounds that directly support Akkermansia growth by improving mucin metabolism and modulating microbial activity.

Best polyphenol sources:

• blueberries

• cranberries

• blackberries

• pomegranate

• cocoa

• green tea

• red/purple grapes

A 2024 study in MDPI Foods found that polyphenols increase Akkermansia abundance and strengthen mucin layer dynamics:
👉 https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/1/23

This makes polyphenols one of the strongest daily dietary strategies.

2. Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) — Especially 2'-FL

HMOs are specialized prebiotics that nourish mucosal bacteria, support epithelial integrity, and create ideal conditions for Akkermansia to thrive.

A review in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition demonstrated that HMOs strengthen gut barrier function and support beneficial mucin-associated microbes:
👉 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6164445/

The most well-studied HMO for mucosal support is 2'-Fucosyllactose (2'-FL).

It directly nourishes:

• Akkermansia-supporting microbes

• gut lining repair pathways

• mucin regeneration processes

3. Prebiotics: Inulin, FOS & Resistant Starch

Prebiotics feed beneficial bacteria that coexist with (and support) Akkermansia.

Best prebiotics to increase Akkermansia:

• inulin (chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke)

• FOS

• resistant starch (cooled potatoes, green bananas, lentils)

• beta-glucans

Prebiotics also support short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, especially butyrate — essential for gut barrier function.

4. SCFA-Producing Probiotics (Clostridium butyricum)

Clostridium butyricum is one of the most powerful bacteria for:

• butyrate production

• mucin regeneration

• colonocyte fuel supply

• inflammation reduction

• improving microbial diversity

A 2021 study in Frontiers in Microbiology confirmed C. butyricum strengthens the gut lining and supports SCFA signaling:
👉 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8078720/

When SCFAs rise, Akkermansia grows more easily.

5. Reduce What Harms Akkermansia

To increase Akkermansia, you must also remove what destroys it:

Avoid or minimize:

• high-sugar diets

• ultra-processed foods

• low-fiber diets

• chronic stress

• alcohol overuse

• repeated antibiotic courses

These factors weaken mucin integrity and starve Akkermansia.

6. Strengthen the Oral–Gut Microbiota Axis

Akkermansia does not exist in isolation — it is part of a continuous microbial ecosystem that begins in the mouth.

The oral microbiota influences:

• upper GI inflammation

• gastric pH

• salivary enzyme activity

• nitric oxide production

• microbial migration to the gut

Chewable microbiome formulas activate in the oral cavity before reaching the gut, promoting a healthier oral–gut axis.

More stable oral–gut signaling → better conditions for Akkermansia.

7. Use an Akkermansia-Supportive Supplement (Chewable Advantage)

A high-quality supplement designed to support Akkermansia should include:

• polyphenols

• HMO 2′-FL

• SCFA-supportive strains (C. butyricum)

• inulin or FOS

• orally active delivery (chewable)

For a next-generation formula designed specifically to support the gut lining, mucosal immunity, Akkermansia abundance, and the oral–gut axis, explore:

👉 Akkermansia Chewable

🟦 INTERNAL LINKS

Akkermansia: The Missing Microbe for Gut Health, Oral–Gut Balance & Digestive Strength

Low Akkermansia muciniphila: Causes, Symptoms & How to Restore It Naturally

How to Increase Akkermansia Naturally With Foods, Polyphenols, HMOs & Prebiotics

Buy Akkermansia: What to Know Before Choosing an Akkermansia Supplement

Akkermansia & Gut Lining Health: Why This Next-Generation Microbe Matters

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❓ FAQ (6 Questions)

1. What foods increase Akkermansia naturally?

Polyphenol-rich foods like berries, cocoa, pomegranate, and green tea.

2. Does resistant starch help Akkermansia?

Yes — resistant starch feeds SCFA-producing microbes that support mucin regeneration.

3. Do HMOs increase Akkermansia?

Yes, especially 2'-FL, which strengthens mucosal health.

4. What supplements increase Akkermansia?

Polyphenols, HMOs, prebiotics, and SCFA-supportive strains, such as C. butyricum.

5. Can chewable probiotics increase Akkermansia?

Yes — they support the oral–gut axis and create better conditions for Akkermansia to thrive.

6. How long does it take to increase Akkermansia?

Most people see changes in 2–4 weeks with a consistent diet + support.

Written by Ali Rıza Akın

Microbiome Scientist, Author & Founder of Next-Microbiome

Ali Rıza Akın is a microbiome scientist with nearly 30 years of biotechnology and translational research experience in Silicon Valley. He is the discoverer of Christensenella californii, a novel human-associated bacterial species linked to metabolic health and mucosal integrity.

His scientific work spans:

• mucosal immunology

• gut barrier biology

• oral–gut microbiome interactions

• SCFA metabolism

• next-generation probiotics (Akkermansia, Christensenella, Clostridium butyricum)

• host–microbe signaling

• microbial therapeutics

He is the author of Bakterin Kadar Yaşa: İçimizdeki Evren (Live as Long as Your Bacteria) and a contributor to Bacterial Therapy of Cancer: Methods and Protocols (Springer, Methods in Molecular Biology).

As Founder of Next-Microbiome, Ali develops advanced synbiotic formulations — including the industry’s first chewable Akkermansia-supporting synbiotic — designed to strengthen the gut lining, support metabolic resilience, enhance mucosal immunity, and harmonize the oral–gut microbiome axis.