Prolonged breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of liver disease

(Reuters) – According to an American study, mothers who breastfeed their babies for six months or more have less fat in the liver and a lower risk of liver disease.

There has long been a link between breastfeeding and women's health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer. The current study aims to determine whether breastfeeding is also associated with a reduction in the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is generally associated with obesity and eating habits.

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The researchers followed 844 women for 25 years after their development. Overall, 32% reported breastfeeding for one month and 25% reported breastfeeding normally for a period of one to six months and 43% reported that they would breastfeed their children longer.

The researchers said in the Journal of Hematology that these women were on average 49 years old at the end of the study. Fifty-five or fifty-six percent of the women were infected with non-alcoholic fatty liver. Women who breastfed their children are at least six months less likely to have liver disease than 52% of mothers who breastfed their children for less than a month.

"This new analysis contributes to the growing body of evidence that breastfeeding naturally represents a significant benefit to the health of the mother," said Vieral Ajmera of the University of California at San Diego.

(Reuters)