New research indicates that breastfeeding could lower a woman's chances of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Over a span of up to 30 years, scientists tracked 1,238 women whose average age was 24 when the study commenced. Each participant had given birth to at least one child, and none had diabetes prior to the study. Data regarding health and lifestyle habits were gathered through interviews and physical exams conducted on seven separate occasions during the project. The findings appear in JAMA Internal Medicine.
There were 182 instances of diabetes. After accounting for variables such as physical activity, smoking, and other influences, the researchers discovered that breastfeeding for up to six months correlated with a 25% lower diabetes risk; breastfeeding for six to 12 months was linked to a 48% reduced risk; and breastfeeding for 12 months or more was associated with a 47% risk decrease. These connections persisted even among obese women and those who had experienced gestational diabetes, both of which are strong predictors of Type 2 diabetes.
The researchers suggest several possible explanations. For instance, women who are lactating tend to have lower glucose levels in their bloodstream, and the process of lactation may help maintain the functionality of insulin-producing cells.
“It has long been known that breastfeeding offers major advantages for infant health,” stated lead author Erica P. Gunderson, an epidemiologist at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, California. “The distinct health perks for women themselves have not been as widely acknowledged.”
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