29/08/2025
CINCINNATI (WKRC) — A new study highlights the long-term health benefits of breastfeeding for mothers, suggesting it may reduce the risk of heart attacks even decades later.
The research, conducted by a team at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine, found that women who breastfeed, particularly those diagnosed with diabetes during pregnancy, may lower their risk of certain heart concerns.
Dr. Elizabeth Arleo, a breastfeeding advocate and author of the upcoming book "Bye Bye Mama's Milk," emphasized the study's significance. "A stronger immune system, decreased childhood infections and many others," she said, listing the benefits of breastfeeding for babies. Arleo, who breastfed all three of her children, said this study adds to her reasons for supporting breastfeeding.
Dr. Kartik Venkatesh, the senior author of the study and a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Ohio State University, explained the findings. "That breastfeeding has a powerful impact on decreasing your risk of having a heart attack, stroke and this impact is decades after you are postpartum and pregnant," he said.
The study analyzed the predicted risk for heart problems in more than 4,500 women at both 10 and 30 years after delivery. Researchers discovered that the lifetime risk of cardiovascular complications is lower in those who breastfeed compared to those who do not.
Dr. Venkatesh suggested that the breastfeeding mechanism itself might be responsible for these benefits. "With regard to inflammation, oxidative stress, your lipids or fat cells in your body, they are all being positively impacted through breastfeeding," he said.
