Probiotic Supplement Helps Shape Infant Gut Microbiome After Newborn Stage
A new study shows that breastfed babies between 2 and 4 months old can still benefit from a daily probiotic that supports the development of their gut microbiome. The research team, including scientists from the UC Davis Department of Food Science and Technology and the College of Biological Sciences, found that the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium infantis EVC001 was able to grow in the infants’ gut and remained present even a month after supplementation ended. While early research focused on newborns, this study is the first to show that older infants—whose gut microbiomes are typically more established—can still see lasting changes. These findings highlight a new window of opportunity to support early-life gut health through targeted nutrition.
