Scientists are studying how antibiotics affect the helpful bacteria living in our intestines, and they’re finding that where you live in the world makes a big difference. Most research has focused on people in North America and Europe, but we need to understand how antibiotics work in people from different countries who eat different foods and have different gut bacteria to start with. This is especially important as antibiotic use increases in developing countries, where these medicines might work differently and create more antibiotic-resistant germs.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How antibiotics change gut bacteria differently in people around the world
- Who participated: This is a review of existing studies, mostly from North America and Europe, with limited data from other regions
- Key finding: Where you live affects how antibiotics change your gut bacteria, but we don’t have enough research from most parts of the world
- What it means for you: If you take antibiotics, the effects on your gut health may depend on your diet, location, and the bacteria you already have