Brazil 2026: knowledge and behaviors about microbiota
The survey was conducted by Ipsos among 7,500 people in 11 countries (Brazil, France, Portugal, Poland, Finland, Italy, Germany, United States, Mexico, China, and Vietnam).
Brazil and microbiota: strong HCP engagement, average behavioral changes and room for progress on First 1000 days awareness.
Summarizing the results of the Brazilian survey
In 2026, Brazil presents a balanced and above-average profile. At 70% awareness, above-average HCP education rates, and 53% behavioral change, Brazil performs consistently close to or above the global average across most indicators. Brazilian healthcare professionals are among the more engaged educators in the study, significantly more so than their European counterparts. One area with room for improvement is expanding education by HCPs on the first 1000 days concept.
1. Brazilians present solid awareness of microbiota, in line with the global average
70% of Brazilian respondents have heard of the microbiota, close to the global average of 72% and stable compared to 2025. Brazil shows above-average awareness of several specific microbiota types, most notably the vaginal microbiota.
of Brazilians have already heard of the term microbiota
(stable vs. 2025)
1 in 4 of them know exactly what the microbiota is
(vs. 24% globally)
over half are aware of the gut microbiota
(vs. 63% globally)
High awareness across microbiota types
Brazilian respondents show above-average awareness of several microbiota types:
- 56% are aware of the vaginal microbiota, above global average (51%);
- 54% are aware of the oral microbiota, above global average (52%);
- 49% are aware of the skin microbiota, (vs. 50% globally);
- 48% are aware of the lung microbiota, above global average (44%).
Learn more
Learn all about microbiotaSolid knowledge of the microbiota despite some gaps
Brazilian respondents show solid understanding on general concepts:
- 74% know diet has significant consequences on microbiota balance;
- 68% know antibiotics have an impact on the microbiota;
- 66% correctly link IBS, obesity, and vaginosis to the microbiota.
But as in most countries, gaps appear on more specific topics:
2. Brazilians change their behaviors to protect their microbiota
53% of Brazilian respondents have changed their behaviors to protect their microbiota balance, exactly in line with the global average. Brazil’s behavioral profile is broadly consistent across indicators, with a few notable standouts:
of Brazilians have changed behaviors to protect their microbiota
(vs. 53% globally)
more than half consider their gut microbiota well balance
(vs. 59% globally)
of them do not smoke or have quit
(vs. 52% globally)
Where Brazilian habits are strong
Brazilian respondents consistently perform well on foundational health habits that indirectly support microbiota balance:
Habits that could be strengthened
Despite these solid foundations, microbiota-targeted supplementation habits and dieting could be improved:
Only half of Brazilians say they consume fermented foods regularly (51% vs. 67% globally), and 3 in 4 eat ultra-processed food at least monthly (74% vs. 66% overall).
When it comes to supplementation, 41% of Brazilians consume probiotics and 37% consume prebiotics—both below global averages of 42% and 38%, respectively.
However, a striking behavior persists: 60% adopt the habit washing twice a day or more—well above the the global average of 30%—a habit that could negatively impact the skin microbiota.
How to keep a healthy microbiota?
Learn more
3. Healthcare professionals are active and trusted with above-average education rates on microbiota
96% of Brazilian respondents trust healthcare professionals as one of their primary sources of information on microbiota. And unlike in most European countries, Brazilian HCPs appear to translate that trust into action: on every measure of education transmitted, Brazil performs above the global average.
of Brazilians trust HCPs as one of their primary sources on microbiota information
(vs. 94% globally)
of them received an explanation of what the microbiota is
(vs. 39% globally)
received all key microbiota information from their HCP
(vs. 23% globally)
What Brazilian HCPs know and share about microbiota to their patients
Brazilian HCPs address a broader range of microbiota topics than their European counterparts:
51% of respondents were educated by their HCPs on the importance of preserving microbiota balance (vs. 43% globally). Similarly, 52% received guidance on behaviors to adopt (vs. 43% globally). And 53% were prescribed probiotics or prebiotics by their HCPs (vs. 51% globally).
Antibiotics: what impact on the microbiota and on our health?
Learn moreThe antibiotic prescription gap
Despite Brazil’s generally above-average HCP engagement, not enough HCPs take the opportunity to educate about the microbiota when prescribing antibiotics:
- 32% of respondents were told by their HCPs antibiotics could negatively affect their microbiota balance (vs. 39% globally);
- 42% were told about digestive disorders associated with antibiotics;
- 36% were co-prescribed probiotics alongside antibiotics (vs. 38% globally);
- Only 22% received all key antibiotic-related microbiota information (vs. 25% globally).
4. The first 1,000 days: a concept still unknown among Brazilian parents
The first 1,000 days focus reveals room for growth in parental education on microbiota in Brazil. About 37% of Brazilian parents and pregnant women have heard of the concept (below the global average of 43%), but 31% of parents received all key information from their pediatrician (on par with global average).
of Brazilian parents/pregnant women are aware of the first 1,000 days concept
(vs. 43% globally)
of them claimed to know exactly what it means
(vs. 15% globally)
said to have received information on early microbiota development by an HCP
(vs. 39% globally)
Significant misconceptions among Brazilian parents
- Only 11% of parents knew that the baby's microbiota does not start developing inside the mother's womb;
- 74% don't know that by age 5 the gut microbiota is not yet adult-like;
- 39% don't know the impact of early antibiotic use on infant gut microbiota development, slightly higher than the global average of 35%;
- Only 1 in 3 know that pet exposure during early life influences the gut microbiota.
In Brazil, there's high trust in healthcare professionals. HCPs are very active in education patients on microbiota. However, when it comes to the first 1000 days, Brazil is in line with global norms on this indicator, with room to grow.
Methodology
This fourth edition of the International Microbiota Observatory was conducted by Ipsos on 7,500 individuals across 11 countries (France, Portugal, Poland, Finland, Italy, Germany, the USA, Brazil, Mexico, China, and Vietnam). The countries surveyed are the same as in the previous wave.
The survey was conducted over the Internet between February 3 and Mars 13, 2026. For each country, the sample is representative of the population aged 18 and over in terms of :
- gender
- age
- profession
- region
Representativeness was ensured via quota sampling, the most commonly used sampling method for obtaining a representative sample of the population studied. The quota variables for each country were gender, age, region, and socio-professional category. The data were adjusted:
- within each country, again to ensure that each population is representative
- globally, so that each country has the same weight. Statistical analyses were carried out using Cosi software (M.L.I., France, 1994), with a significance level of 95%
The survey population was 48% male and 52% female. The sample of 7,500 individuals made it possible to carry out a detailed analysis by age group:
- 18-24
- 25-34
- 35-44
- 45-59
- 60 and over
The changes shown are year-over-year, that is, compared to the 3rd edition of the Observatory conducted in 2025. Changes relative to previous editions—the first and second editions—are shown on a constant scope basis, meaning they were calculated by considering only those countries included in all waves of the survey (namely the United States, Brazil, Mexico, France, Portugal, and China). Other countries, which were included in the Observatory’s second or third editions, are not included in the results presented on a constant scope basis.
The questionnaire includes 24 questions on:
- socio-demographic data
- the level of knowledge about microbiomes
- the level of and desire for information from healthcare professionals
- the level of knowledge and information among parents and pregnant women regarding a child’s microbiome
- the identification and adoption of behaviors designed to combat microbiome imbalances
- the level of knowledge, information, and behaviors of women about the vulvo-vaginal microbiome
- health data
The questionnaire lasted ten minutes and the 7,500 individuals had to complete the entire questionnaire in order to be included in the survey. The terms used in the questionnaire to talk about the microbiome have been translated and adapted to the terms used in each country.
BMI-26.32