Gut–Liver Axis-Mediated Anti-Obesity Effects and Viscosity Characterization of a Homogenized Viscous Vegetable Mixture in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

This study investigated the anti-obesity effects of a homogenized, viscous vegetable (VV) mixture prepared from mucilaginous vegetables, with a focus on modulating hepatic lipid metabolism and gut microbiota composition in mice fed with a high-fat (HF) diet. The VV mixture was formulated by blending freeze-dried powders of ten mucilaginous vegetables, classified as moderately thick using a line-spread test and extremely thick according to the IDDSI framework in a 1:9 ratio (VV mixture: water, w/w). Six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed control or HF diets, with or without 10% VV mixture for 8 weeks (n = 7 per group). The HF diet induced significant weight gain, adipose tissue accumulation, hepatic steatosis, and inflammation. The HF diet also significantly reduced hepatic ACO1, CPT1 mRNA expression, and α-diversity with distinct fecal microbiota profiles. On the other hand, VV mixture supplementation reduced serum TC, LDL-C levels and NAFLD scores. VV mixture supplementation also increased hepatic ACO1 and CPT1 mRNA expression, enhanced α-diversity, and enriched SCFA-producing bacteria, particularly the Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group. In conclusion, the VV mixture attenuated HF diet-induced obesity, possibly through its high viscosity–mediated effects on hepatic fatty acid oxidation and gut microbiota modulation.