Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs)
Plain-English definitions of microbiome research vocabulary — the terms you'll see across articles, testing services, and probiotic claims.
Complex sugars found in human breast milk that selectively feed beneficial Bifidobacterium species in the infant gut. HMOs are the third most abundant component of breast milk and are critical for establishing the infant microbiome.
Related terms
Prebiotic
Non-digestible food components (typically dietary fibres) that selectively stimulate the growth or activity of beneficial gut bacteria. Common examples include inulin, FOS, and GOS.
Bifidobacterium
A genus of beneficial bacteria that dominates the infant gut and remains important throughout life. Various species (B. longum, B. infantis, B. breve) are among the most studied probiotics, with evidence for IBS, immunity, and infant health.