Research has found that yeast mannan has prebiotic effects, promoting certain bacteria, including Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and Bacteroides ovatus, in a human colonic microbiota model. The discovery of these prebiotic effects has implications for gut health, although its connection to broader issues like childhood obesity is still being explored. Other studies have also examined the impact of various substances on gut microbiota, including mycoprotein and Candida mannan.