What: A study published in BMJ Mental Health found that the oral microbes in pregnant women are linked to their stress levels and mental health symptoms. Researchers noted women experiencing recent life stress had more proteobacteria, while those with elevated depression symptoms had more spirochaetes. These findings suggest that saliva analysis could serve as a non-invasive method to assess and monitor mental health during pregnancy.

Key line: “’Successful targeting of the gut microbiome with probiotic treatment to improve maternal mental health could be extended in future studies to target oral cavity microbes through dietary changes, making recommendations for improving oral health, and probiotic treatments that might benefit mothers struggling with high life stress and poor mental health,’ the team of researchers said.”

Source: BMJ Mental Health // https://www.news-medical.net/news/20241127/Womane28099s-saliva-could-offer-clues-to-stress-and-mental-health-during-pregnancy.aspx