Scientists from the University of Turku have found that a closer relationship with nature can change the composition of a woman’s breast milk, potentially affecting the health of the baby. The research was published in the journal scientific reports.
800 breastfeeding mothers participated in the study, which began in 2007 at the University of Turku. Breast milk samples were collected when infants were three months old. The composition of the oligosaccharides was analyzed at the University of California, San Diego.
Scientists have found that women living in greener areas have a higher diversity of oligosaccharides in their milk. The results were not dependent on the parents’ education level, occupation, marital status, and health status, as well as socio-economic well-being in the region of residence.
The authors believe their findings may indicate that increased daily contact with nature can be beneficial for breastfeeding mothers and their babies.
Oligosaccharides are the most abundant constituents in breast milk after lactose and fat. Oligosaccharides in breast milk can protect the baby from harmful microbes and reduce the risk of allergies and diseases. It has been previously shown that various factors, including maternal obesity, can alter the composition of oligosaccharides in breast milk.
Source: Gazeta
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