Mexico 2026: knowledge and behaviors about microbiota
The survey was conducted by Ipsos among 7,500 people in 11 countries (France, Portugal, Poland, Finland, Italy, Germany, United States, Mexico, Brazil China, and Vietnam).
Mexico and microbiota:
rising awareness, strong HCP prescriptions but limited understanding and moderate counseling.
Summarizing Mexican results in the survey
In 2026, Mexico presents a profile of genuine engagement: 74% of respondents have heard about the microbiota, the HCP prescription rates are high, and 60% of respondents report behavioral change. But the picture is not without nuance. Precise understanding of the microbiota remains limited, antibiotic-related education has not progressed, and specific dietary habits fall short of the country’s self-reported commitment. Mexico is a country where microbiota is known but not yet fully understood or acted upon in daily habits. HCP's are trusted but could better educate about early microbiota development
1. Mexico presents rising awareness of microbiota, yet limited understanding of it
74% of Mexican respondents have heard of the microbiota, above the global average of 72% and the highest rate in the Americas. The progression since 2023 (+8 points) reflects a genuine cultural shift. Yet, as in most countries, the level of awareness does not automatically translate into depth of knowledge.
of Mexicans have already heard of the term microbiota
(+ 8 points vs. 2023)
1 in 4 of them know exactly what the microbiota is
(vs. 24% globally)
have heard of all 7 specific microbiotas
(vs. 32% globally)
A broad but not comprehensive awareness
Mexico’s awareness of specific microbiotas is above the global average and consistently so across all seven types measured.
- 34% of respondents have heard of all types of microbiota, a higher rate than the global figure of 32%;
- 67% of Mexican respondents are aware of the gut microbiota (vs. 63% globally);
- 60% are aware of the vaginal microbiota (vs. 51% globally), the highest rate since 2023;
- 51% are aware of the skin microbiota (vs. 50% globally).
Learn all about microbiota
Learn moreKnowledge is moderate and not improving significantly
Despite strong awareness, knowledge of specific mechanisms and links remains very moderate and is not showing signs of significant improvement:
- 79% of respondents know that microbiota imbalance can have significant health consequences;
- 78% know the microbiota plays a role in immune defense and that diet has significant consequences on microbiota balance;
- 61% know antibiotics have an impact on the microbiota.
2. High behavioral change in Mexico but gaps in microbiota-friendly diet persist
In 2026, 60% of Mexican respondents report having changed their behaviors to protect their microbiota, above the global average of 53% and the highest in the Americas. Yet, when looking at the specific habits behind this self-reported change, the picture is more nuanced. Mexico performs well on probiotic use and avoiding alcohol, but lags on some fundamental dietary habits.
of Mexicans have changed behaviors to protect their microbiota
(vs. 53% globally)
more than half consider their gut microbiota well balance
(vs. 59% globally)
were prescribed probiotics or prebiotics by an HCP
(vs. 51% globally)
Mexicans are often prescribed microbiota supplementation
Mexico leads or performs above average on supplementation and lifestyle:
55% of Mexicans consume probiotics and 51% consume prebiotics—both below global averages of 42% and 38%, respectively.
Gaps in diet and fermented food consumption persist
Despite strong supplementation habits, key dietary behaviors fall below what the self-reported commitment level would suggest:
Only 34% eat multiple fruits and vegetables daily, below the global average of 40%. Fermented food consumption is below the global average at 62% (vs. 67%).
How to keep a healthy microbiota?
Find out more
3. Trusted healthcare professionals prescribe probiotics but only moderately counsel on microbiota
In Mexico, healthcare professionals command the same near-universal trust seen across all 11 countries: 95% of respondents cite HCPs as one of their most trusted sources of microbiota information, including 99% of those aged 60 and over. And Mexican HCPs are among the most active prescribers of probiotics in the study.
of Mexicans trust HCPs as one of their primary sources on microbiota information
(vs. 94% globally)
received all key microbiota information from their HCP
(vs. 23% globally)
of them were prescribed probiotics or prebiotics
(vs. 51% globally)
Information is above global average but not progressing
Mexico significantly outperforms the global average on HCP-transmitted microbiota education. Notably, older and younger patients are equally informed. But the improvement from last year is essentially flat, a plateau after strong growth in previous editions:
63% of Mexican respondents received guidance from their HCP on microbiota-friendly behaviors to adopt (vs. 43% globally). Similarly, 61% were educated on the importance of preserving microbiota balance. And 54% received an explanation of what the microbiota is and what it does.
Antibiotic education remains a gap in Mexico
Despite Mexico’s high overall HCP engagement, not enough HCPs take the opportunity to educate about the microbiota when prescribing antibiotic:
- Only 27% of respondents received all key microbiota information when antibiotics were prescribed (vs. 25% globally);
- 47% were told about digestive disorders associated with antibiotics;
- 42% were told antibiotics could negatively affect their microbiota balance (+3 pts vs. 2025);
- 54% were co-prescribed probiotics alongside antibiotics, above the global average of 38%.
Antibiotics: what impact on the microbiota and on our health?
Learn more
4. The first 1,000 days: a concept still unknown among Mexicans parents
The first 1,000 days focus reveals room for growth in parental education in Mexico. About 40% of Mexican parents and pregnant women have heard of the concept (below the global average of 43%), but only 31% of parents received all key information from their pediatrician (on par with global average).
of Mexican 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)
received information on early microbiota development by an HCP
(vs. 31% globally)
Significant misconceptions among Mexican parents
- 11% of parents know that the baby's microbiota does not start developing inside the mother's womb;
- 76% don't know that by age 5 the gut microbiota is not yet adult-like;
- 35% don't know the impact of early antibiotic use on infant gut microbiota development, on par with the global average;
- Only 1 in 3 know that pet exposure during early life influences the gut microbiota.
In Mexico, there's high trust in healthcare professionals. HCPs are rather active in education patients on microbiota. However, when it comes to the first 1000 days, Mexicans are 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 among 7,500 individuals in 11 countries (France, Portugal, Poland, Finland, Italy, Germany, USA, Brazil, Mexico, China, Vietnam), between February 3rd and March 13th, 2026. Samples are representative of the population aged 18 and over, via quota sampling (gender, age, region, socio-professional category). Statistical significance is calculated at a 95% confidence level. The survey lasted ten minutes.
The questionnaire covered: microbiota awareness and knowledge; information received from HCPs; behaviors; women's knowledge of the vaginal microbiota; parental knowledge of the first 1,000 days; and health data.
