Gut microbes followed migrating humans across continents, new study suggests
A new study published in Nature suggests that certain gut bacteria strains have coexisted with humans for thousands of years, following ancient migrations across continents. The research compared the microbiomes of the Hadza people in Tanzania and the Tsimane people in Bolivia, finding remarkable similarities between them, but significant differences from modern urban populations. Experts suggest this microbial kinship predates human migration splits and raises questions about the impact of losing these microbes in modern lifestyles.
Why it matters
This research offers insights into human evolution and health, suggesting that the loss of gut biodiversity due to modern lifestyles could have significant implications for human biology and well-being. It highlights the deep co-evolutionary relationship between humans and their microbiomes.
The Hadza people are hunter-gatherers who have roamed northern Tanzania for thousands of years.
Shots - Health News How The Microbes Inside Us Went From Enemies To Purported Superhealers The indigenous Tsimane people forage, fish and hunt in the Bolivian Amazon, some 7,000 miles away.
These two rural communities, separated by an ocean, may appear to have little in common. But a new study shows that they share remarkable similarities when it comes to the bacteria in their guts.
Shots - Health News Stomach Of Ancient Iceman Held Microbes Like Ours For stories of life in our changing world, subscribe here to the global health newsletter.
Experts say the new paper in the journal Nature suggests this microbial kinship may have taken shape long ago, before human migration split these groups' ancestors apart.
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