A recent study suggests that the presence of a beneficial bacterium, Bifidobacterium breve, in a pregnant mother’s gut may promote healthy brain development in her fetus. Researchers found that this bacterium improved brain metabolism and nutrient transport in fetal mice. The findings, published in Molecular Metabolism, highlight the crucial role of maternal gut health in pregnancy outcomes.
Study author Jorge Lopez-Tello stated, “Rates of pregnancy complications like preeclampsia are rising worldwide. This study helps us explore non-pharmacological treatments to prevent complications.”
The study showed that when pregnant mice were given Bifidobacterium breve, fetal brain development improved including better nutrient transport and cell growth. However, further studies are needed to explore how these results apply to humans as the study was conducted in germ-free mice.
Maternal gut bacteria like Bifidobacterium breve could play a vital role in fetal brain growth. Though promising, human studies are necessary to validate these results.
