Breastfeeding is a natural process of nourishing and bonding with a baby that has long been known to offer benefits to both mother and child. As it turns out, breastfeeding also helps reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke for mothers.

This is a surprising finding that was revealed in recent studies, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to recommend breastfeeding for at least six months.

What is heart disease and stroke?

Before delving into how breastfeeding reduces the risk of these conditions, it is imperative to understand what heart disease and stroke are.

Heart disease refers to conditions that affect the heart, including coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart failure and arrhythmia. Stroke, on the other hand, is a physical condition that affects the brain when the blood supply is disrupted, causing cells to die.

There are different types of strokes, including ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and transient ischemic attack (TIA).

How does breastfeeding reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke?

Research has shown that breastfeeding gives health benefits not only to the baby, but also to the mother. Studies have revealed that women who breastfeed are less likely to suffer from heart disease and stroke.

This is because breastfeeding provides a protective effect on a woman’s cardiovascular health. Here is how breastfeeding achieves this:.

Breastfeeding helps lose weight

After birth, most women tend to retain some weight gained during pregnancy. This raises the risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, all of which are risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

Breastfeeding helps to burn up to 500 extra calories per day, helping mothers to lose weight and thus reduce the risk of these health conditions.

Breastfeeding lowers cholesterol

Breastfeeding has been found to lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. This is an effect that greatly lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Studies have shown that women who breastfeed for more than six months have better cholesterol levels than those who don’t breastfeed.

Breastfeeding reduces the risk of diabetes

Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in women who either have gestational diabetes or are at high risk of developing diabetes.

By lowering the risk of diabetes, breastfeeding indirectly reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Breastfeeding lowers blood pressure

High blood pressure is among the risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Studies have revealed that breastfeeding helps lower blood pressure in women who have developed the condition during pregnancy.

This reduces the chances of developing the two conditions.

Breastfeeding helps reduce stress

Stress is a major trigger of high blood pressure, and consequently, heart disease and stroke. Breastfeeding helps to reduce stress in mothers by promoting the release of hormones such as oxytocin.

Oxytocin boosts a feeling of calm and relaxation, helps to reduce blood pressure and heart rate, protecting the heart and blood vessels from the effects of long-term stress.

Breastfeeding reduces inflammation

Inflammation is a factor that increases the risk of developing heart disease and stroke. Breastfeeding has been found to reduce inflammation in the body.

Studies have revealed that women who breastfeed have lower levels of C-reactive protein (a biomarker for inflammation) compared to those who don’t breastfeed. This lowers the risk of developing heart disease and stroke.

Breastfeeding helps reduce the risk of obesity

Obesity is a significant risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of obesity in both the mother and the baby.

This is because breast milk contains factors that help regulate appetite and energy balance in the baby. In addition, breastfeeding also helps to reduce the mother’s risk of obesity, and therefore, heart disease and stroke.

Breastfeeding helps reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a condition characterized by a cluster of metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors that increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

These risk factors include abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and high triglycerides. Studies have shown that breastfeeding helps to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome in women. This is significant because the presence of the syndrome increases the chances of developing heart disease and stroke.

Conclusion

Breastfeeding is an essential aspect of infant care that offers a lot of health benefits to both mothers and their babies. Evidence shows that breastfeeding reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke in women.

This is an excellent reason for mothers to embrace breastfeeding and continue breastfeeding for at least six months as recommended by WHO. With all these benefits, breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways for women to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.