The correlations between gut microbiota of Muslim Thai lactating women and their dietary intake and gut microbiota of breastfed infants

Introduction: Foods and nutrients are essential not only for human health, but also for the balance of gut microbiota. This research aimed to correlate the gut microbiota of lactating women with their food/ nutrient intakes, as well as with their infants’ gut microbiota. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 27 pairs of mothers and their exclusively breastfed infants. For lactating women, the dietary assessment was conducted by 24-hour recall, and food groups were assessed following the Food and Agriculture Organization’s guidelines, while nutrient intake was analysed using INMUNCAL V3 programme. Gut microbiota of mothers and infants were measured in stool samples using fluorescent in situ hybridisation technique. Results: It was found that energy intake of mothers was only 66% of the recommended Thai Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). Most micronutrient and dietary fibre intakes were below the Thai DRIs. Vitamin A (VA)-rich fruits and vegetables food group correlated positively with Lactobacillus species (spp). The association between gut microbiota and nutrient intake of lactating women showed that total protein, phosphorus, and VA were positively correlated with Bifidobacterium spp.; while β-carotene and vitamin C were also positively correlated with Lactobacillus spp. In contrast, consumption of eggs and calcium correlated negatively with Clostridium spp./ Enterobacter spp. Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. of lactating women and breastfed infants showed strong correlations. Conclusion: Food and nutrient intakes of lactating women were correlated with their Clostridium spp./Enterobacter spp., Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. Furthermore, Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. of mothers and breastfed infants showed strong correlations.