A short-term, randomized, controlled, feasibility study of the effects of different vegetables on gut microbiota and microRNA expression in infants

The complementary diet influences gastrointestinal (gut) microbiota composition and in turn, host health and potentially microRNA (miRNA) expression. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of altering gut microbial communities with short term food introduction and to determine the effects of different vegetables on the infant gut microbiota and miRNA expression. Eleven infants, randomized to control, broccoli, or carrot, consumed a puree (broccoli or carrot) on days 1-3 along with human milk or infant formula; the control group continued their milk diet only. Genomic DNA and total RNA were extracted from fecal samples to measure microbiota composition and miRNA expression.