These changes in microbial function and composition indicate a transition from the infant gut microbiota to the adult one, which is more stable. Therefore, these foods may help establish beneficial gut microbiota from early on, contributing to promoting human health.
“These findings suggest that certain everyday foods, alone or in combination with infant formula, can positively influence the development of gut bacteria in babies. This could play a key role in early nutrition and diet recommendations,” Vitor says.
While the study was conducted in a controlled laboratory model and does not fully replicate the complexity of the human body, it lays the groundwork for future clinical trials. Researchers emphasise that more studies are needed to confirm these results in real-world conditions.
Professor McNabb says this research opens exciting possibilities for infant nutrition.
“If future studies confirm these benefits, they may be able to guide parents and healthcare professionals on how to optimise gut health from infancy.”
Findings have been published in the journal Food and Function and can be accessed in full here.