Researchers confirmed that understanding how breast milk components affect the immune system could open new horizons to improve the health of all children, including those who were not breastfed.

The study, led by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in collaboration with several research institutions, focused on explaining why rates of infections and chronic inflammation are lower in infants who are breastfed for a long period, which may reduce the risk of childhood diseases such as allergies, diabetes, and asthma later on.

The researchers analyzed data from nearly 900 infants. The study reviewed about 800 types of fats and other metabolic markers in the blood of children up to 12 months old and found that breastfeeding broadly affects these vital elements.

The results highlighted a prominent role for a special type of fat called “plasmalogens,” which are abundant in breast milk, in reducing inflammation. These fats, usually absent in formula milk, play a fundamental role in enhancing immune health.

Dr. Satvika Borugubali from the Baker Institute confirmed, “Breast milk plays a pivotal role in supporting the immune system of newborns; it is rich in fats and essential nutrients, in addition to antibodies and white blood cells that protect the child from diseases.”

She added, “The study identified key biological pathways explaining how breastfeeding improves immune health and reduces inflammation, lowering the risk of chronic childhood diseases and heart disease and diabetes later in life.”

The study results were published in the journal BMC Medicine.