Breastfeeding is the best option for babies, according to science. Another study found that breast feeding is the best option for mothers. Their benefit: Breastfeeding can lower stroke and heart attack risk in moms.
Researchers followed heart events for nearly 290,000. Women in China were asked questions about their children, breastfeeding, and how long they had been breastfeeding over a period of 10 years. [1]
Breastfeeding mothers had an advantage. A lower rate of heart disease by 9% Women who breastfed more than one baby during the study period had a lower risk of developing heart disease and stroke than women who did not breastfeed. Breastfeeding more than one baby for two years or more reduced their risk of developing heart disease by 18% and stroke risk by the same amount as mothers who did not breastfeed.
Read: Breastfeeding boosts mom’s heart and prevents cardiovascular disease
After researchers adjusted for factors such as cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking, obesity and physical activity, the effect remained.
It is important to be clear that the findings do not mean that breastfeeders will have a stroke or heart attack. You can choose to not breastfeed for any reason. You shouldn’t assume that you will suffer a major medical event. Because of it.
To understand why breastfeeding appears to reduce stroke and heart attack risk, researchers need to dig deeper. According to Sanne Peters (a researcher in epidemiology at Oxford University in England), one possibility is that breastfeeding alters the metabolism of mothers after giving birth.
Pregnancy fat is accumulated during pregnancy and distributed throughout the body. This is done to ensure that the baby receives plenty of nutrients and prepare the baby to breastfeed with breast milk. Studies have shown that breastfeeding makes it easier to lose the fat.
Peters explained:
“Women who do not breastfeed have metabolic reserves that aren’t needed.”
In simpler terms, breastfeeders may gain or lose more weight than those who do. This could increase their risk of developing heart disease such as unhealthy cholesterol and atherosclerosis.
Study: 6 Months of breastfeeding can “HALVE” childhood obesity risk
Dr. Nieca Silverberg, spokesperson for the American Heart Association suggests that mothers who breastfeed might have healthier overall habits than moms who don’t. The findings could be more of a correlation rather than cause-and effect, but maybe both.
It is possible that breastfeeding can have direct effects. One example is oxytocin. This hormone, which causes blood vessels to relax, may play a direct part in lowering stroke and heart attack risk. [2]
It is not known how long mothers need to breastfeed in order to reap the greatest heart health benefits. China’s average breastfeeding duration is approximately one year. It’s closer to 6 month in the U.S..
The study found no difference in body mass (BMI) between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding mothers. Peters stated that future research should consider more factors that impact heart health, such as blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol.
Researchers found that The risk of breastfeeding is lower for women who have been breastfed longer.. The risk of developing cardiovascular problems drops by 3-4% for every 6 additional months of breastfeeding per child.
Breastfeeding is a good option if possible, but don’t panic if it’s not. Goldberg stated:
“Certainly, [moms] You can reduce your risk by exercising regularly, quitting, managing stress and eating a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet.
Sources:
[1] Time
[2] UPI