A common stomach bacteria, known as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), may help to reduce inflammation of the colon that is caused by Salmonella, according to a new study conducted at the University of Michigan.

The scientists analyzed mice that had been infected with H. pylori and who were also diagnosed with Salmonella poisoning. As a result, the subjects experienced the inflammatory bowel disease known as colitis.

The researchers discovered that H. pylori in the stomach altered the immune system’s environment of the lower gastrointestinal tract in the mice. In turn, this reduced the severity of inflammation associated with Salmonella-induced colitis.

Peter Higgins, M.D., lead author of the study, said that “this research demonstrates that having H. pylori in your stomach could have beneficial immune effects in other parts of the body.”

The researchers indicate that more studies are needed to examine whether or not H. pylori can help in the prevention of inflammatory bowel diseases. Other gut infections, such as cholera may also benefit from the H. pylori infection, according to the scientists.

There are approximately 76 million foodborne illness cases in the United States each year, including Salmonella, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Colitis may occur as a result of Salmonella poisoning and experts suggest that individuals who experience this, and similar inflammatory bowel diseases, should maintain a healthy diet to help reduce their symptoms.