Human Milk Microbiota: What Did We Learn in the Last 20 Years?

Overview

Journal Microbiome Res Rep

Date 2023 Dec 4

PMID 38046359

Authors

Marta Selma-Royo

Joaquim Calvo-Lerma

Christine Bauerl

Maria Esteban-Torres

Raul Cabrera-Rubio

Maria Carmen Collado

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Human milk (HM) is the gold standard for infant nutrition during the first months of life. Beyond its nutritional components, its complex bioactive composition includes microorganisms, their metabolites, and oligosaccharides, which also contribute to gut colonization and immune system maturation. There is growing evidence of the beneficial effects of bacteria present in HM. However, current research presents limited data on the presence and functions of other organisms. The potential biological impacts on maternal and infant health outcomes, the factors contributing to milk microbes' variations, and the potential functions in the infant's gut remain unclear. This review provides a global overview of milk microbiota, what the actual knowledge is, and what the gaps and challenges are for the next years.

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