Antibiotics reduce the diversity of bacteria in the human gut microbiome.

Is it true that antibiotics reduce the diversity of bacteria in the human gut microbiome?

Unclear. A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis in children found antibiotic exposure associated with reduced gut microbiome diversity and richness, and a clinical trial protocol and a textbook note that antibiotics disrupt gut microbiota and can cause dysbiosis. All placed items support the claim only in part, covering specific populations or stating it as background rather than measuring diversity directly.

Verdict: PARTIAL LEAN · 4 sources for, 0 against · Last checked 2 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

McDonnell, L., Gilkes, A., Ashworth, M., Rowland, V., Harries, T. H., Armstrong, D., & White, P. (2021). Association between antibiotics and gut microbiome dysbiosis in children: systematic review and meta-analysis.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2020.1870402

Impact of Probiotics Combined with Antibiotic Prophylaxis on Gut Microbiome Balance in Patients Undergoing Elective Orthopedic Surgery, Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial. (2025). clinicaltrials.gov. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06791993

Panda, S., khader, I. E., Casellas, F., Vivancos, J. L., Cors, M. G., & Santiago, A. (2014). Short-Term Effect of Antibiotics on Human Gut Microbiota. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0095476

Ahmad, S. R. (2026). The Gut Microbiome in Precision Medicine. play.google.com. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=3uZSEQAAQBAJ&source=gbs_api