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Health

Your height may influence the diversity of your gut microbiome

Taller people may have longer gastrointestinal tracts that can house a broader array of microorganisms and could protect them against infections from bacteria such as Clostridium difficile

By David Cox

28 August 2023

The Clostridium difficile bacterium can cause diarrhoea - and shorter people may be particularly at risk

The Clostridium difficile bacterium can cause diarrhoea – and shorter people may be particularly at risk

Callista Images/ Alamy

A person’s height may influence the bacterial diversity of their gut microbiome. This could be due to taller people potentially having longer gastrointestinal tracts that can house a broader array of microorganisms. Not everyone is convinced by this, however, with one scientist arguing that a person’s genetics or having a poor diet during childhood could both inhibit their growth and affect their gut microbiome.

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