Being social may make for a healthier gut microbiome

The social relationships that are key to good health and well-being are just as important for humans and primates alike.

A recent study suggests that the gut microbiome may play an important role in your physical and mental health. It's possible that bacteria from the environment (such as through touch) may be passed socially and influence our well-being.

Our research found that sociable monkeys have a different species of gut bacteria than less sociable monkeys. Also, they've got a different species of bacteria in their gut than those less sociable monkeys. It is generally known to provide an auxiliary fuel tank for the storage of additional fuel.

Rhesus monkeys live on Cayo Santiago in Puerto Rico. Researchers studied them to see how age influenced their social behavior. In 1938, a founder population of 409 rhesus macaques was moved from India to Cayo Santiago.

Monkeys range and forage freely, but their diet is supplemented daily with monkey chow. Scientists observe the monkeys to see how they behave, learn what motivates them, and why they behave as they do. Between 2012 and 2013, the authors collected a total of 50 uncontaminated samples of feces from this social group.

This study examined the relationship between social connectedness and a monkey’s level of grooming. Author Dr. Karli Watson, from the Institute of Cognitive Science at the University of Colorado Boulder, said, “Macaques are social animals that groom other macaques, so grooming provides a good indicator of how socially interactive animals are."

Using DNA sequences, researchers investigated the relationship between the microbiome and human social behavior. They found that people who lived more socially connected were more likely to have more diverse communities in their gut.

They focused on microbes that have been repeatedly shown to be either more or less abundant in people or rodents with autism-like symptoms (often accompanied by social disconnection).

Social behavior seems to influence the microbial community in the environment. If there's any chance it's a social transmission of microbes. This could be through grooming.

As well as behavior influencing the microbiome, we also know that the microbiome can in turn affect the brain and behavior.

The researchers concluded that "this research adds an interesting new dimension to the debate about whether we are born social or not."