We’ve long known that the gut microbiome plays a huge role in digestion — but current research keeps revealing just how deeply these microbes are tied to our overall health. From supporting brain function to fine-tuning our immune response and even lowering the risk of chronic diseases, the list of their benefits keeps growing.

Now, a new study published in Cell by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York suggests that the microbiome may go even further — by turning bile acids into immune-boosting compounds that help the body fight cancer.

According to a press release, co-author and researcher Chun-Jun Guo was very surprised by their findings. Until now, no one had discovered that these microbiome-modified bile acids could interfere with the signaling processes that allow cancer cells to grow unchecked.