Spencer Williams and Ethan Goddard-Borger (IMAGE) Walter and Eliza Hall Institute Caption A critical discovery about how bacteria feed on an unusual sugar molecule found in leafy green vegetables could hold the key to explaining how 'good' bacteria protect our gut and promote health. The finding suggests that leafy greens are essential for feeding good gut bacteria, limiting the ability of bad bacteria to colonize the gut by shutting them out of the prime 'real estate.' Dr. Ethan Goddard-Borger (right) from Melbourne's Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and Professor Spencer Williams from Melbourne's Bio21 Institute, identified a previously unknown enzyme used by bacteria, fungi and other organisms to feed on the unusual but abundant sugar sulfoquinovose -- SQ for short -- found in green vegetables. Credit Walter and Eliza Hall Institute Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.