Formula-fed babies have higher levels of harmful arsenic in their bodies than breastfed babies, and this is independent of the type of baby they live in, according to a study in Environmental Health Perspectives.
The authors of the work are scientists from Dartmouth College in Hanover (USA). Their aim was to find out if and how breast milk protects babies from exposure to arsenic present in varying concentrations in drinking water in all households. The starting point for the study were previous scientific reports indicating that the arsenic content in breast milk is very low, even in areas where water pollution with this element is quite high.
As part of the study, the authors measured arsenic levels in the urine of 72 six-week-old infants, breastfeeding milk, and tap water at the participants’ homes.
It turned out that the concentration of arsenic in the urine was 7,5 times lower in exclusively breastfed babies than in infants given formula.
Our results clearly show that breastfeeding reduces the intensity of arsenic exposure, says the lead author of the study, Prof. Kathryn Cottingham. This is another argument supporting the legitimacy of breastfeeding and showing its beneficial effects on health.
We should remember that artificial food, just like drinking water, exposes babies to contact with too much harmful arsenic, adds co-author Courtney Carignan. It is also expected that, considering the population as a whole, maximum arsenic exposure will be in the second half of a child’s life, as most women stop breastfeeding after about six months.
In nature, arsenic is found in the earth’s crust and is a component of various minerals. It is part of the rocks, from where it penetrates into groundwater and groundwater, and along with them, in small amounts, goes to our taps. It also accumulates in vegetables and meat of some fish.
This substance is one of the most powerful poisons. It has carcinogenic properties and interferes with some cellular processes. Arsenic exposure during pregnancy is associated with increased fetal mortality, decreased birth weight and reduced cognitive function. (PAP)