Breastfeeding reduces risk of hypertension in women

If you have been wondering the association between breastfeeding and hypertension, now rest. A systematic review of literature found breastfeeding for as short as one to four months can lower risk of high blood pressure in women. Lactation can also protect women across extended period, from years to decades, the review found. Among 15 studies […]

If you have been wondering the association between breastfeeding and hypertension, now rest.

A systematic review of literature found breastfeeding for as short as one to four months can lower risk of high blood pressure in women.

Lactation can also protect women across extended period, from years to decades, the review found.

Among 15 studies reviewed that had longer-term follow-up, 67% of those evaluated for elevated blood pressure – and 100% of the studies that assessed for an outcome of hypertension – showed a protective association with lactation, as reported in an article published in Breastfeeding Medicine, the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.

The researchers found that, compared to the studies with short-term follow-up, those that included longer durations of follow-up were more likely to show a positive association with breastfeeding.

“Once again, it is confirmed that breastfeeding provides major health benefits not only to the infant but, also, no less so, to the nursing mother,” says Arthur Eidelman, MD, editor-in-chief of Breastfeeding Medicine.