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How lipid droplet structure affects early‑life digestion and absorption: In vitro evidence

  • Publications
  • Human Milk Research

What makes human milk lipid droplets so different from those in cow’s milk or standard infant formulas? And why do their size and shape matter for long-term health?

New findings from scientists at Danone Research & Innovation (Danone R&I) and the University of Lyon’s CarMeN laboratory reveal that lipid droplet structure directly influences how energy and other nutrients are absorbed¹. 

“This shows how important it is to understand the specific characteristics that determine how lipids get digested and absorbed,” notes Gabriel Thomassen, Digestion & Absorption Scientist at Danone R&I. 

The team simulated infant gastrointestinal digestion in vitro to compare human milk with a standard infant formula; an infant formula with added Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM)²; and a novel concept formula made using the patented NUTURIS® process - which contains large, milk phospholipid coated lipid droplets that more closely resembles human milk. 

“Larger lipid droplets enriched with phospholipids were broken down very differently compared to the small, simpler droplets typically present in standard infant formulas,” Gabriel explains. “The droplet size and the presence of surface phospholipids affected the rate and extent of lipid digestion and absorption.” 

While laboratory models cannot fully replicate the complexity of the infant gut, by demonstrating how fat structure—not just composition—shapes digestion, this new research provides a strong foundation for future innovation in advanced nutritional solutions to support infant health and growth.

So, what comes next? The team plans to build on these insights with clinical studies. Understanding how they play out in the real-world will help validate how structured lipids may influence growth, metabolism, and long-term health outcomes. 

Does lipid droplet size and structure in infant formula matter? Absolutely. We’ve shown that larger, milk phospholipid coated lipid droplets can fundamentally change how infants digest and absorb this key nutrient.

- Gabriel Thomassen 

Digestion & Absorption scientist

References

  1. Thomassen G.G.M, et al. (2026) Dietary lipid droplet size and phospholipids moduleate lipid digestion and absorption in early life nutrition, an in vitro study. Food Chemistry 503; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.147742
  2. Danone Research & Innovation; (2026); Human milk research: advancing nutrition for child development – Milk Lipids; Available at: https://www.danoneresearch.com/nutrition-for-all-needs/children-development/human-milk-research/#milklipids