Effects of Whole-Grain and Sugar Content in Infant Cereals on Gut Microbiota at Weaning: A Randomized Trial

The introduction of complementary foods during infancy marks an important step in the development infant gut microbiome. Infant cereals are popular weaning but consistent evidence on their effect intestinal microbiota, especially when differing nutritional quality, is lacking. Fecal samples from 4–7-month-old Spanish infants who consumed whole grain and sugar content as first were analyzed changes microbial composition by massively parallel sequencing 16S ribosomal RNA gene at baseline after 7 weeks intervention. Samples obtained a previous trial conducted Spain demonstrating whole-grain cereal acceptability. In total, 18 consuming 0% with 24 g (0-WG) 25 50% 12 (50-WG) analyzed. Microbial changed significantly over time (p = 0.001), per intervention group 0.029) 0.001). Abundance genus Veillonella increased both groups while Enterococcus decreased. Within 0-WG group, phylum Actinobacteria decreased along Bifidobacterium. 50-WG, we observed increase Lachnoclostridium Bacteroides. addition, 50-WG Proteobacteria Escherichia to levels lower than 0-WG. Although itself appeared be responsible for most changes, presence anaerobic fermenters together inhibition pathogenic may indicate supporting grains reduced manufactured refined hydrolyzed flours microbiota. fact, using novel methodology identification signatures, found two taxa predictive enriched high value about 93%.