Breastfeeding Helps Instill Good Bacteria In Babies’ Guts
Good gut health helps protect from obesity, allergies and diabetes later in life.
Capital Public Radio:
Got Milk? Breastfeeding Crucial For Gut Health, UC Davis Research Shows
Modern medicine strives to keep bad germs out of our systems, but sometimes it wipes out good bacteria, too. Scientists at UC Davis say breast milk could hold the key to a healthy bacterial balance. It all comes down to the gut microbiome - the community of microbes, fungi and viruses that live in our intestines. Some of these organisms cause disease, while others aid in digestion, immunity, and growth. New UC Davis research shows that babies who are breastfed start out with more diverse microbiomes, which protect them from obesity, allergies and other chronic diseases later in life. (Caiola, 7/21)