Adding prebiotics to baby formulas may significantly boost infants' memories, new research reveals.
Although unclear why, researchers found piglets fed prebiotic-rich formulas are significantly better at recognizing objects they have come across before, a US study found.
This is thought to be due to prebiotics' effect on 'good bacteria' in the gut.
Breast milk naturally contains prebiotics, however, this research may aid the development of better infant formulas for women who cannot, or chose not to, breastfeed.
Prebiotics are indigestible food ingredients, such as fiber, that act as fertilizers to stimulate the growth of bugs in the digestive tract. Probiotics specifically introduce new bacteria into the gut.
A recent study from the University of Illinois' Piglet Nutrition and Cognition Lab investigated what effects adding prebiotics to infant formula might have on pigs. Specifically, they wanted to know whether it would enhance memory and exploratory behavior.
Study author Associate professor Ryan Dilger said: 'There are so many ways we can alter the composition of the microbiota and they can have very strong benefits.
'Promoting good "gut health" remains a strong focus in the field of nutrition.'
The findings were published in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience.
