Diverse plant diets boost infants' gut microbiome health

Recent research indicates that infants who consume a variety of plant foods may develop a healthier gut microbiome. This maturation in the gut microbiome is essential for better health and resistance to diseases later in life. The study involved 729 children up to three years old from various countries, including the United States, Kenya, Nicaragua, Pakistan, and Cambodia. Researchers analyzed fecal samples to assess the dietary diversity of the infants. They identified 199 unique plant foods in their diets, but only eight staple foods were common across all regions. The findings suggest that the weaning stage is a key factor in shaping an infant's diet and, subsequently, their gut microbiome. Different countries showed varying rates of dietary diversification, likely influenced by cultural practices and availability of food. As infants introduced solid foods into their diets, their gut microbiomes became more diverse, with certain beneficial bacteria becoming more abundant over time. This suggests that a diet rich in plant variety supports the development of a microbiome similar to that of adults. Although dietary diversity was associated with microbiome maturation, it did not directly correlate with overall microbial diversity. Initially, milk appeared to shape the gut composition, while plant intake became more significant during later stages. Overall, the research underscores the importance of plant dietary diversity for healthy gut microbiome development in infants, providing a simple measure that could aid in public health initiatives to monitor and promote gut health from an early age.