• Ultra-processed foods negatively impact the gut microbiota diversity and abundance in infants, as highlighted by a Brazilian study on 728 infants.
• Non-breastfed infants consuming ultra-processed foods exhibit elevated levels of bacteria associated with obesity and gastrointestinal issues.
• Breastfeeding helps protect against the harmful effects of ultra-processed foods on gut health, promoting the growth of beneficial Bifidobacterium.

A recent Brazilian study investigated the impact of ultra-processed food consumption on the gut microbiota of 728 infants. The study, part of the 'MINA Study,' revealed that infants who consumed ultra-processed foods, especially those not breastfed, experienced a decrease in gut microbiota diversity and an increase in harmful bacteria linked to obesity and gastrointestinal issues. Breastfeeding was found to offer a protective effect by promoting beneficial bacteria.

• What: Consumption of ultra-processed foods negatively impacts the gut microbiota diversity in infants, leading to an increase in harmful bacteria and a decrease in beneficial bacteria.
• Who: 728 infants in Brazil, researchers from the University of São Paulo (FSP-USP), FAPESP, and mothers who participated in the study.
• When: Data and samples were collected between 2016 and 2017 when the children turned one year old. The original study followed children born between 2015 and 2016.
• Where: Cruzeiro do Sul, in the state of Acre, Brazil (Brazilian Western Amazon).

The study's findings highlight a significant concern regarding the early consumption of ultra-processed foods and its potential impact on infant gut health. The protective role of breastfeeding is underscored, suggesting that it can buffer the adverse effects of these foods. The high percentage of infants consuming ultra-processed foods before the age of two, despite WHO recommendations, calls for greater awareness and intervention to promote healthier eating habits in early childhood.

We also found that breastfeeding attenuated the harmful effects of consuming ultra-processed foods on the composition of the gut microbiota.

Given these results, we’re continuing to follow these children to monitor possible adverse health outcomes in the long term.

The Brazilian study provides compelling evidence of the detrimental effects of ultra-processed foods on infant gut health, especially in the absence of breastfeeding. The findings underscore the importance of promoting breastfeeding and limiting the consumption of ultra-processed foods in early childhood. Long-term monitoring of the children in the study will provide further insights into the potential health consequences of these early dietary habits.