The adoption of a westernized gut microbiome in Indian Immigrants and Indo-Canadians is associated with dietary acculturation
Indian immigration to westernized countries has recently surged, increasing their risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) post-migration. While crucial for understanding IBD risk, the gut microbiome remains understudied in Indians. This cross-sectional study examines the impact of westernization on the gut microbiomes of Indians residing in India, Indo-Immigrants, and Indo-Canadians compared to Euro-Canadian and Euro-Immigrant controls. Stool samples for 16S rRNA and shotgun sequencing assessed microbial taxa and functional profiles, alongside dietary and demographic data to evaluate lifestyle patterns. Indians and Indo-Immigrants had distinct microbiotas from controls, with high abundances of Prevotella spp. and CAZymes reflecting their high complex carbohydrate diet. Indo-Canadians exhibited a transitional microbiome towards westernization, mirroring increasing dietary acculturation. Considering 44% of Canadians are first- and second-generation immigrants and the global adoption of westernized practices, future research should investigate the health implications of such microbiome transitions in immigrant populations and newly industrialized nations.
Authors
- Leah D D'Aloisio
- Jacqueline Barnett
- Sepideh Pakpour (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3615-1858)
- Ushasi Bhaumik
- Vasudevan Sudha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1382-0609)
- Mamatha Ballal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8781-3191)
- Sanjoy Ghosh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2407-5782)
- Vignesh Shetty (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6645-4975)
- Natasha Haskey (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7349-9445)
- Nijiati Abulizi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3591-8674)
- Nagarajan Lakshmipriya (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7773-019X)
- Debaki Ranjan Howlader (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3170-9851)
- Ramin Karimianghadim
- Chuyi Liu
- Mrudgandha Purandare
- Pacha Sruthi
- Deanna L. Gibson
Institutions
- University of British Columbia (CA)
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education (IN)
- University of Cambridge (GB)
- University of Saskatchewan (CA)
- Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (IN)
- National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (IN)
- University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus (CA)
- Kasturba Medical College, Manipal (IN)
- University of Missouri (US)
- Okanagan University College (CA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
- Published
- 2025-08-03
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-025-00778-8
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Gut microbiota and health
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.61
Funders
- Killam Trusts
- Crohn's and Colitis Canada
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada