Preliminary Research Suggests Urea in Breast Milk May Shape Infant Gut Microbiome

Preliminary research indicates that urea in breast milk might play an unexpected functional role in developing the infant gut microbiome. The study, a preprint not yet peer-reviewed, found that the mammary gland regulates urea transport, and varying urea concentrations favored the growth of specific bacteria like Bifidobacterium longum. Further research is needed to confirm if altering urea levels impacts infant gut communities or health outcomes.