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We have trillions of bacteria living in our intestines. All together, the bacteria living in our gut weigh around 1.5 kilograms. A major part of these "blind passengers" were unknown because they were difficult or impossible to grow in laboratories. Now, scientists have discovered a link between richness of bacterial species in the intestines and the susceptibility of diseases related to obesity.

A new study revealed that people with fewer bacterial species in their intestines are more likely to develop heart disease and diabetes.

"This is an amazing result with possibly enormous implications for the treatment and even prevention of the greatest public health issue of our time. But we are not there yet, now we need studies in which we can monitor people for a longer period," researcher Jeroen Raes of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel said in a news release.

Researchers studied the link between obesity and intestinal flora by examining the intestinal flora of 169 obese Danes and 123 non-obese Danes.

"We were able to distinguish between two groups based on their intestinal flora: people with a large richness of bacterial species in their intestines and people with a few less bacterial species," Raes said.

"A species-rich bacterial flora appeared to function differently compared to the poorer variety," he added.

Researchers were surprised to find obese people and non-obese people in both groups.

Study results revealed people with fewer bacteria in their guts were more susceptible to developing obesity-related conditions and chronic inflammation. Researchers said that obese people with fewer intestinal bacteria are at a greater risk of cardiovascular conditions than those with more intestinal bacteria.

Researchers said the latest findings suggest that it is not only weight gain and lifestyle that are responsible for the development of medical complications in obese people. 

The findings are published in the journal Nature.