Akkermansia muciniphila is a mucin degrading bacteria that lines the intestinal wall. Research suggests that a higher abundance of the bacteria is associated with a lower body fat mass .

Reunanen J, Kainulainen V, Huuskonen L, Ottman N, Belzer C, Huhtinen H, de Vos WM, Satokari R. Akkermansia muciniphila Adheres to Enterocytes and Strengthens the Integrity of the Epithelial Cell Layer. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2015 Jun;81(11):3655-62. doi: 10.1128/AEM.04050-14