"Uncovering Ancient Diets: 4,000-Year-Old Teeth Reveal Microbial Diversity and Dietary Impact"

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have analyzed microbiomes from 4,000-year-old teeth found in an Irish limestone cave, shedding light on the impact of changing human diets on oral health over the centuries. The study revealed major shifts in the oral microenvironment from the Bronze Age to today, including changes in bacterial composition linked to gum disease and tooth decay. The findings also support the "disappearing microbiome" hypothesis, suggesting that modern microbiomes are less diverse than those of our ancestors, which could have implications for human health.