Effects of Human Milk Oligosaccharides on Microbiome

Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs), the complex, unique glycans present in human milk, are essential for infants’ early development and provide many health benefits to humans. Although the effects of all the individual HMOs are not fully understood, studies have revealed many health benefits of HMOs acting as prebiotics. They shape the gut microbiome, provide immune-modulatory and anti-adhesive effects to enhance innate and acquired immunity in the host and modulate the epithelial barrier. The effects of HMOs are not only limited to the infant gut microbiome but also affect the microbiome of breast milk and adults. This mini review highlights the recent findings on the effects of HMOs on the microbiome. It discusses the benefit of synthesizing and identifying the structures of individual glycans for further improvement in human health.