A team of scientists led by the University of California has discovered a component of breast milk that is responsible for healthy brain development in infants. The results of the researchers’ work were presented as follows: magazine Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Past studies by scientists have shown that natural breast milk feeding is beneficial for the cognitive development of children. Babies who were breastfed as children were more successful in learning than those who were not fed. The scientists were unable to explain this pattern, but suggested that breast milk contains certain components that confer these benefits.
In this study, experts analyzed milk samples from lactating women from the United States, China, and Mexico. The authors collected demographic data from mothers. Analysis showed that all samples contained the substance myoinositol and its amount decreased at the end of lactation.
Myoinositol promotes the formation of neurons in the infants’ brain and the communication between them. This small, cyclic sugar molecule is also found in the normal adult diet, including fruits and grains.
“Taken together, our findings highlight that breast milk is a dynamic source of bioactive compounds that support brain development. The results will form the basis of recommendations for improving infant formula,” the authors said.
ancient scientists in your name Maternal disease whose risk is reduced by breastfeeding.