The benefits of breastfeeding in newborn are well known. However, recent research suggests that it also has a potential perk on women, which is lowering the risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes.
The study discovered that breastfeeding for more than 2 months can greatly reduce likelihood of developing diabetes by half, particularly for mothers previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes. "Women with a history of GDM are faced with an extremely high risk for type 2 diabetes; up to 50 percent diagnosed within 5 years after delivery," senior research scientist from Kaiser Permanente Northern California Erica Gunderson said.
Nevertheless, it is of note that this study did not reveal that breastfeeding can directly lower chances of type 2 diabetes, rather it discovered a connection between. "Previous evidence was insufficient to conclude that breastfeeding protected women against type 2 diabetes," she wrote.
Of the more than 1000 mothers included in the study, almost 12 percent developed type 2 diabetes two years after delivery. How mothers feed their newborns were classified into five groups, namely, exclusive breastfeeding, mostly breastfeeding (less than 6 ounces of formula per day), mostly formula (over 17 ounces of formula) and mixed feeding (7 to 17 ounces), according to CBS News.
Results revealed that compared with those who solely used formula milk, breastfeeding mothers have a significant chance of lowering their type 2 diabetes risk by 54 percent. On the other hand, those who gave mixed feeding and mostly formula, their likelihood is reduced to a third compared with those using formula alone.
The length of breastfeeding time also plays a significant role. "Lactation gives the insulin-producing cells in the body a rest because they don't have to make so much insulin to lower blood glucose," Gunderson said. "Breast-feeding uses up glucose and fat in the blood because those nutrients are transferred from the bloodstream into the breast tissue for milk production."
"These findings highlight the importance of prioritizing breastfeeding education and support for women with gestational diabetes as part of early diabetes prevention efforts by health care systems," Gunderson stated.
