In case you forgot your fourth-grade science, humans, along with almost 6,500 other species in the world, belong to a classification known as mammals. One of the defining characteristics of being a mammal is the presence of mammary glands that produce milk for our young. Great, so what does this have to do with adults, health, or anything in general, you ask? Well, did you know that research has shown that women who have breastfed their babies at some time in their lives may have gained significant health benefits from it?
According to a meta-analysis conducted by the American Heart Association of previous studies, these women show a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease and stroke. Women who breastfed their children also showed a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, and a lower risk of developing ovarian and breast cancers.
In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) maintains that breastfeeding is linked to health benefits for children who are breastfed as well. Research has shown that those children tend to have fewer respiratory infections and are less likely to die of infectious diseases than children who were not breastfed.
In the meta-analysis, researchers wanted to look at previous studies and investigate whether the link of breastfeeding to cardiovascular health was strong enough to consider the benefit. So, they reviewed different studies from 1986 to 2009 that were conducted in countries including Australia, Japan, Norway, China, and the United States. In addition, the studies included medical records from over 1.2 million women of various ages. What they found turned out to be quite interesting. Among the findings:
– Women who reported breastfeeding their children showed an 11% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those who did not breastfeed.
– Women who breastfed showed a 14% lower risk of developing coronary heart disease (clogged arteries).
– Women who breastfed were 12% less likely to suffer a stroke.
– Women who breastfed were 17% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease.
The benefits of breastfeeding have been well documented. Breast milk is tailor-made for human infants and provides the best source of nutrients for most babies for intellectual and physical development. Breastfed children also share antibodies with their mothers, which helps to foster a strong immune system. In addition to helping the child fight infections, breast milk can help prevent long-term health issues such as obesity, Type 1 diabetes, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Breastfeeding is also economical and practical. As it is free, eliminates the need for formula, and can be done anywhere and anytime. There is also the emotional connection between mother and child that is of immeasurable value.
Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the WHO recommend that children be breastfed exclusively for the first six months of life and that they continue to breastfeed up to 2 years of age and beyond. Health officials maintain that it is important to make women aware of the benefits of breastfeeding both for the health of the mother as well as the child. While these and other studies show strong scientific evidence of these health benefits, more work needs to be done to educate the public on these benefits, encourage mothers to breastfeed their children, and remove the stigma of breastfeeding.
