Authors
- Sara Bezak, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, Clinical Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Rijeka, Croatia (ORCID: 0009-0001-7589-4526)
Article type:
Review
Abstract:
Intestinal (gut) microbiota is a community of microorganisms that colonize the human digestive system. In recent times, intestinal microbiota has been intensively researched, particularly its role in the host’s health. In the human body, among other functions, the intestinal microbiota acts as a central regulator of metabolism and immune function. Disturbances in its balance are now associated with numerous pathological conditions. The composition and diversity of the intestinal microbiota are influenced by many factors, with dietary habits cited as the most significant.
This raises the question of how much dietary habits can influence the diversity and composition of the intestinal microbiota, and to what extent changes in the microbiota caused by diet can impact the host’s health. The intestinal microbiota develops from an early age, and some authors suggest its formation may begin in utero. This paper briefly presents recent findings on the influence of diet on the intestinal microbiota of infants, highlighting the differences between breastfed children and those fed with adapted milk formula.
Keywords:
intestinal microbiota; gut microbiota; dietaryhabits; immune system; breastfeeding; adapted milk formulas; human milk oligosaccharides