Children face a lower risk of eczema and allergies when mothers consume dairy and ruminant meat during breastfeeding. New research from Maastricht University on breast milk's fatty acid composition reveals why.
The study involved 300 breastfeeding mothers and their children. Key fatty acids enter breast milk through the mother's diet—primarily vaccenic and rumenic acids from ruminant meat and dairy. These are especially prevalent in organic dairy products commonly eaten by breastfeeding mothers, though the body can produce them too.
Breastfeeding has long been linked to reducing eczema risk before a child's third birthday. This Maastricht University research confirms the connection.
