Sugar found in red meat may help toxins stay in body, researchers find

摘要

Apparently, E. coli 0157:H7 isn't scary or dangerous enough on its own: By teaming up with a complex sugar found in red meat, the pathogen is able to find a friendlier environment in the human digestive tract, scientists now believe. A study published in the recent issue of the journal Nature has found a molecule called N?glycolylneuraminic acid, or Neu5Gc, may help toxins from certain strains of E. coli target cells in humans. As a result, researchers are wondering whether people who eat more red meat may be more susceptible to the foodborne illness, and whether their symptoms may be more serious than people who don't consume red meat as often.