Antioxidant Power of Breast Milk

In a study involving 54 healthy term infants 3 to 6 months of age, breast milk was found to provide better antioxidant power than cow’s milk modified formula. The infants were fed breast milk or a cow’s milk-modified formula. Plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC), vitamin C, albumin, bilirubin, and uric acid levels were measured as indicators of antioxidant markers, and plasma total peroxide (TP) levels were measured as an oxidative stress marker. Total antioxidant capacity and vitamin C levels were significantly higher in breast-fed infants than in formula-fed infants, whereas plasma TP levels and OSI were higher in formula-fed infants than in breast-fed infants. Thus, this study suggests that breast milk provides greater antioxidant power than formula, while producing less free radical stress.

Just another reason to breast feed our kids now backed by mainstream medical research.

“Breast milk provides better antioxidant power than does formula,” Aycicek A, Erel O, et al, Nutrition, 2006; Apr 22; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital at Sanliurfa, Sanliurfa, Turkey).