How the dialogue between intestine and brain shapes our children’s behavior, mood, and development
How many times have you wondered why your child becomes particularly irritable after eating certain foods? It might be because of their gut microbiome.
Or have you noticed that during periods when they have intestinal problems, they also seem more anxious or moody?
It’s not just your imagination. Science is gradually discovering something fascinating: the gut microbiome and our children’s brains are in constant dialogue, and this dialogue influences much more than we imagine.
We’re talking about a topic that has only received the attention it deserves in recent years: the gut microbiome and its impact on children’s behavior, mood, and cognitive development.
The gut microbiome: is it really the second brain?
Perhaps you’ve already heard the gut described as the “second brain.”
It’s not just a poetic metaphor, because the gut actually contains about 500 million neurons – yes, neurons, just like those in the brain – that form what scientists call the enteric nervous system.
This system is in continuous communication with the brain through what’s known as the gut-brain axis.
But the real protagonists of this story are billions of microorganisms – bacteria, viruses, fungi – that populate our children’s intestines from birth.
This complex ecosystem, the microbiome, weighs about 2 kilograms in an adult and contains more bacterial cells than there are human cells in our entire body. It’s extraordinary when you think about it.
In children, the microbiome is in the formation and maturation phase and is particularly sensitive to external influences. The first three years of life are crucial: it’s during this period that the “community” of microorganisms that will likely accompany your child throughout their life is established.
Intervention is possible in adulthood too, but let’s see why a good start is important.
How the gut “talks” to the brain
Communication between the gut and brain occurs through several pathways.
The most direct is the vagus nerve, a sort of information highway connecting the two organs. But there are other routes too: gut bacteria produce chemical substances – neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA – that directly influence mood and behavior.
For example, did you know that about 90% of the body’s serotonin is produced right in the gut? Serotonin is that neurotransmitter we all associate with wellbeing and happiness. That’s why an imbalance in the gut microbiome could have direct repercussions on your child’s mood.
But there’s more. The gut microbiome also influences the immune system, and in turn, systemic inflammation can impact the brain and behavior. It’s an interconnected system where everything is linked, and where an imbalance at one point can create ripples throughout the entire organism.
What does the research say?
Studies in recent years are revealing increasingly clear connections.
Children with mood disorders, anxiety, or attention difficulties (or ADHD) often also show alterations in the composition of their gut microbiome compared to their peers.
We’re obviously not saying that the microbiome is the sole cause of these problems – that would be too simplistic – but that it represents an important factor that until recently was completely ignored.
Recent research has shown, for example, that children with autism spectrum disorders frequently present gastrointestinal problems and a significantly different microbiome compared to neurotypical and non-neurodivergent children.
We still don’t know whether this difference is a cause, a consequence, or a self-reinforcing factor, but the connection exists and is solid.
Other studies have highlighted how children with greater intestinal bacterial diversity tend to have better cognitive abilities and fewer behavioral problems. Diversity, in this case, is wealth: a varied and balanced microbiome seems to be associated with better neuropsychological development.
Even in the field of childhood anxiety, evidence is accumulating.
Some specific bacterial strains seem to have an “anxiolytic” effect, while others might contribute to states of greater stress reactivity. And here we arrive at an important point: can we do something to positively influence this balance?
What does all this mean in daily practice?
Let’s be clear: we’re not suggesting that every tantrum or difficult moment of your child depends on their gut.
Children are complex, and their behavior is influenced by many factors – emotional, relational, environmental, and their temperament. However, adding the microbiome perspective can open new paths to understanding and supporting our children’s wellbeing.
So, what can we do concretely?
Diet is the main key
A varied diet rich in fiber is fundamental for nourishing the “good” bacteria. Fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grains: these foods contain fibers that serve as “food” for the microbiome. You don’t need to be perfect or rigid, but the general orientation toward a plant-rich diet makes a difference.
Fermented foods deserve special mention:
- Natural yogurt
- Kefir
- Sauerkraut
- Miso
They contain natural probiotics that can help populate the gut with beneficial bacteria. Of course, not all children accept them easily – my son looks at kefir as if it were poison – but it’s worth trying gradually and without forcing.
Antibiotics should only be used when needed
They’re extraordinary and life-saving drugs when truly needed, but they have a significant impact on the microbiome, indiscriminately eliminating good and bad bacteria. It’s not about demonizing them, but about using them only when truly necessary, following the pediatrician’s instructions, and not for every cold or seasonal virus (they don’t work against viruses!).
Contact with nature and “good dirt” matters
Playing outdoors, touching the earth, being in contact with animals (with appropriate hygiene precautions) exposes children to a variety of microorganisms that enrich their microbiome. Excessive sanitization – disinfecting every surface, avoiding any contact with nature – can impoverish this ecosystem. Let them play in the mud, in short.
Chronic stress has negative effects
Prolonged stress can alter the composition of the gut microbiome, creating a vicious circle: stress alters the gut, the altered gut affects mood and the ability to manage stress. Creating an emotionally safe and supportive environment for our children is not just “good parenting sense,” but also has concrete biological foundations.
What about probiotics? Do they really work?
It’s the question you’re probably asking yourself.
Pharmacy shelves are full of probiotic supplements for children, with appealing promises. The truth is that research in this field is still evolving. Some specific strains have shown benefits in particular situations – for example in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea, or in some functional intestinal disorders.
But the idea of giving a generic probiotic to a healthy child, without specific indication, doesn’t yet have solid scientific foundations.
The microbiome is a complex and personalized ecosystem: what works for one child might not work for another. If you think your child might benefit, talk to your pediatrician, who can evaluate the specific situation and, if necessary, direct you toward products with studied strains and appropriate dosages.
We are with you.
We at Parentalife are by your side throughout the entire parenting journey. We support you with guides, courses, and with personalized consultations.
Remember, we are with you.
SOURCES
1. Laue HE, Coker MO, Madan JC. The Developing Microbiome From Birth to 3 Years: The Gut-Brain Axis and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes. Front Pediatr. 2022 Mar 7;10:815885. doi: 10.3389/fped.2022.815885. PMID: 35321011; PMCID: PMC8936143.
2. Jena A, Montoya CA, Mullaney JA, Dilger RN, Young W, McNabb WC, Roy NC. Gut-Brain Axis in the Early Postnatal Years of Life: A Developmental Perspective. Front Integr Neurosci. 2020 Aug 5;14:44. doi: 10.3389/fnint.2020.00044. PMID: 32848651; PMCID: PMC7419604.