London (ECN) - Research now suggests that women who breastfeed their children may lower their own risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. A new study conducted in the United States and featured in the journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology has found that women who breastfeed for more than one year are 10% less likely to develop heart disease and strokes than women who have never breastfeed. Breastfeding for even one month may cut the risk od developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
This is just more evidence on top of all the research that shows the many health benefits that are gained from breastfeeding for both the mother and child. Research has also long shown the risk reduction in ovarian and breast cancer, along with osteoporosis later in life for women that breastfeed. Health benefits for babies includes protection against obesity, asthma, diabetes, and infections of the stomach, ear, and chest.
This newest study was conducted by the University of Pittsburg and involved almost 140,000 post-menopausal women around the age of 50. On average, it had been at least 35 years since the women had last breastfed, which suggests that the benefits can last for decades. Heart attack risk was found to be cut by 10% and the stroke risk by 10% as well. The study also found lower rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol for the women that breastfed.
It's been suggested that breastfeeding may reduce the cardiovascular risk by reducing fat stores in the woman's body. Many researchers believe it's more complex, having to do with the release of hormones during breastfeeding.
Many agencies advocate breastfeeding for a minimum of six months to secure the health benefits to both mother and child but the longer breastfeeding goes on, the better.
Currently, research is only showing a strong association between breastfeeding and these health benefits. More research will be undertaken to understand this association and what the cause may be.
