Breast Milk Gives Certain Gut Bacteria Head Start
Researchers have discovered that human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in breast milk play a critical role in shaping an infant's gut microbiota. This influence persists into adulthood and highlights the importance of combining breastfeeding with solid foods during weaning.
Why it matters
Understanding the long-term impact of early nutrition on gut health could lead to improved infant dietary guidelines and clinical practices.
Breast milk helps shape the gut microbiota for longer than previously thought. Researchers from DTU and Rigshospitalet have discovered that sugars in breast milk, which are nondigestible by the infant, so-called human milk oligosaccharides, HMOs, influence which bacteria thrive in the gut during the transition to solid food, and that this influence persists later in life.
The article is a scientific summary based on published research findings.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in