Breastfeeding Avoid High Blood Pressure

AS, mothers who breastfed exclusively at least six months may have a lower risk of high blood pressure later in life. This was revealed through a study that was held in the United States and involving more than 50 thousand women.

The findings, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology adds to evidence that breastfeeding is very beneficial for both mother and baby. Although, it does not prove that breastfeeding is a healthy blood pressure, researchers said.

Previously, it has been known that breastfeeding can protect infants from various diseases, such as diarrhea and ear infections. In previous studies had suggested that mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease.

"As for women who never breastfed were more likely to develop hypertension when compared with women who breastfed exclusively to the child for six months or more,"

In general, experts recommend that infants should be exclusively breastfed during the first six months and then continued with a combination of breast milk with solid foods until the age of 1 year.

For this study, Stuebe and his team saw a correlation between breastfeeding and risk of high blood pressure in 56 thousand U.S. women. The study found women who had breast-feeding for at least six months have a lower risk of developing high blood pressure than those who give formula. That, too, had included other factors such as diet, exercise, and smoking.

Stuebe says that there are no findings that prove that breastfeeding itself provides long-term protection from high blood pressure. But it makes sense that breastfeeding has a direct benefit. Animal studies have found that the hormone oxytocin, which is involved in breastfeeding, has an effect on blood pressure.