Study Maps Unique Gut Microbiome Diversity Across South Asia

A study of 575 healthy adults across 10 South Asian communities found that gut microbiomes in the region are distinct from global datasets and vary significantly between local populations.

Researchers from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences used the South Asian MicroBiome ARray (SAMBAR) to analyze how diet, culture, and urbanisation shape unique microbial trajectories in the region.

The findings, published in Gut Microbes, provide a baseline for personalised nutrition and precision healthcare to address the rising prevalence of obesity and diabetes in South Asian populations.