Breastfeeding protects women from diabetes

Two out of three women breastfeed in France according to a 2016 study. The benefits of breastfeeding have been demonstrated: it helps protect children from certain infections, prevents asthma and protects women from certain cancers. A study by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, published in Science Translational Medicine, completes the list of these benefits. Breastfeeding may lower the risk of diabetes after birth.

Prolactin, serotonin and beta cells in the pancreas

The research gathered 174 women who had given birth two months earlier: 85 of them were breastfeeding, the rest were not. The researchers followed them for at least 3 years. They found that prolactin, the hormone produced during breastfeeding to stimulate milk production, has another role: it increases the number of beta cells in the pancreas. These regulate the glucose in the blood, but also produce serotonin, the hormone of well-being, during breastfeeding. Serotonin has an antioxidant action on these cells of the pancreas. Researchers conclude that breastfeeding can reduce the risk of postpartum diabetes, due to two phenomena: increasing the mass of beta cells in the pancreas and improving their functioning. This phenomenon would last even after stopping breastfeeding, which would significantly improve the metabolism of mothers.

Gestational diabetes, a risk even after childbirth

According to the European Center for the Study of Diabetes, between 10-20% of pregnant women suffer from gestational diabetes, that is to say during their pregnancy. After childbirth, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes is multiplied by 7 and persists for 25 years according to data from the Health Insurance. Official recommendations state that the mother should be followed for at least 25 years. If the risk is high, it However, there are ways to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes after childbirth: exercise, eat a balanced diet, stop smoking and, if necessary, correct overweight.

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