News | High-Sugar, High-Fat Diet May Affect Breast Milk Quality and Maternal and Infant Health
Fast food, sugary drinks, and fried foods have become part of modern diets, but research suggests that this "Western diet" may subtly impair lactation and may affect maternal and infant health.
Scientists at the University of Cambridge and the University of Chile found that even short-term consumption of high-sugar, high-fat fast food may affect mammary gland development and reduce the nutritional quality of breast milk, potentially affecting healthy newborn growth. The study was published in Acta Physiologica.
How Does a Fast-Food Diet Affect Breast Milk Quality?
The researchers used laboratory mice to model human eating patterns and examined how a high-fat, high-sugar diet affected mice during pregnancy and lactation. The experimental group consumed high-fat pellets and sweetened condensed milk for three weeks before pregnancy, three weeks during pregnancy, and after birth. This diet was designed to mimic common fast foods such as burgers, fries, and sugary drinks.
The results showed:
Mammary gland development was impaired and milk protein content decreased, affecting the pups' nutritional intake.
Newborn survival declined, with mortality rising particularly during lactation.
Even when the mothers maintained a normal weight, their body fat increased significantly and metabolic problems such as fatty liver developed, potentially affecting health further.
Placental development was impaired and fetal nutrient supply became abnormal. Although fetal weight changed little, the long-term effects remain uncertain.
"Many women may assume that diet will not affect pregnancy or breastfeeding as long as their weight remains normal. But the study shows that even without abnormal weight, fat accumulation may still affect fetal development and breast milk quality."
—Professor Amanda Sferruzzi-Perri, St John's College, University of Cambridge
A Hidden Health Concern: A Mother's Diet May Affect Her Child for Life
More than half of women worldwide are overweight or obese during pregnancy, and high-sugar, high-fat diets are becoming a major contributor to pregnancy-related health problems. Earlier studies focused mainly on the reproductive effects of long-term obesity. This study found that even short-term intake of high-fat, high-sugar foods may affect breast milk quality during lactation and reduce newborn survival.
More concerning, these effects may not be visible. Many women may appear healthy during pregnancy and lactation while accumulating excess body fat or developing fatty liver, which can affect mammary gland development and milk production.
"A high-fat diet not only affects the mother's health, but may also increase the child's risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease."
—Professor Amanda Sferruzzi-Perri
Lower-Income Families Face Greater Barriers as Healthy Food Costs More
Although a healthy diet is essential for mothers and newborns, financial pressure often prevents dietary improvements. Fast food and processed foods are inexpensive, while fresh vegetables and high-quality protein tend to cost more. Families with limited resources may therefore rely more on fast food and fall into a low-nutrition, high-calorie eating pattern.
"As living costs rise, lower-income families are more likely to rely on nutrient-poor foods high in sugar and fat. This may affect not only the mother, but also the child's lifelong health."
—Professor Amanda Sferruzzi-Perri
The researchers emphasized that governments and communities should improve access to healthy food and strengthen nutrition education for pregnant and breastfeeding women, helping them choose healthier diets for themselves and their children.
Healthy Eating Before Conception, During Pregnancy, and While Breastfeeding
To support breast milk quality, scientists recommend that women consider the following before conception, during pregnancy, and while breastfeeding:
Reduce high-sugar, high-fat foods and limit fast food, fried foods, and sugary drinks.
Increase high-quality protein from sources such as lean meat, fish, eggs, and legumes to support mammary gland development and breast milk nutrition.
Eat a balanced range of fresh fruits and vegetables for vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.
Monitor body fat even when weight is normal to reduce health risks such as fatty liver.
Have regular health checks and monitor liver function, blood glucose, and cholesterol levels.
"A healthy mother supports a healthy next generation. A woman's diet before pregnancy and during breastfeeding affects not only her own health, but potentially her child's lifelong health."
—Professor Amanda Sferruzzi-Perri
Conclusion: Diet During Pregnancy Affects Maternal and Infant Health
As fast-food culture spreads worldwide, high-sugar, high-fat diets have become a significant concern for maternal health. Recent research suggests that even short-term heavy consumption of fast food may reduce breast milk quality, affect infant health, and increase the future risk of chronic disease.
Scientists encourage women to pay particular attention to diet quality before conception, during pregnancy, and while breastfeeding. They also call for stronger maternal nutrition education and wider access to healthy foods.
News | High-Sugar, High-Fat Diet May Affect Breast Milk Quality and Maternal and Infant Health
News | High-Sugar, High-Fat Diet May Affect Breast Milk Quality and Maternal and Infant Health
Fast food, sugary drinks, and fried foods have become part of modern diets, but research suggests that this "Western diet" may subtly impair lactation and may affect maternal and infant health.
Scientists at the University of Cambridge and the University of Chile found that even short-term consumption of high-sugar, high-fat fast food may affect mammary gland development and reduce the nutritional quality of breast milk, potentially affecting healthy newborn growth. The study was published in Acta Physiologica.
How Does a Fast-Food Diet Affect Breast Milk Quality?
The researchers used laboratory mice to model human eating patterns and examined how a high-fat, high-sugar diet affected mice during pregnancy and lactation. The experimental group consumed high-fat pellets and sweetened condensed milk for three weeks before pregnancy, three weeks during pregnancy, and after birth. This diet was designed to mimic common fast foods such as burgers, fries, and sugary drinks.
The results showed:
Mammary gland development was impaired and milk protein content decreased, affecting the pups' nutritional intake.
Newborn survival declined, with mortality rising particularly during lactation.
Even when the mothers maintained a normal weight, their body fat increased significantly and metabolic problems such as fatty liver developed, potentially affecting health further.
Placental development was impaired and fetal nutrient supply became abnormal. Although fetal weight changed little, the long-term effects remain uncertain.
"Many women may assume that diet will not affect pregnancy or breastfeeding as long as their weight remains normal. But the study shows that even without abnormal weight, fat accumulation may still affect fetal development and breast milk quality."
—Professor Amanda Sferruzzi-Perri, St John's College, University of Cambridge
A Hidden Health Concern: A Mother's Diet May Affect Her Child for Life
More than half of women worldwide are overweight or obese during pregnancy, and high-sugar, high-fat diets are becoming a major contributor to pregnancy-related health problems. Earlier studies focused mainly on the reproductive effects of long-term obesity. This study found that even short-term intake of high-fat, high-sugar foods may affect breast milk quality during lactation and reduce newborn survival.
More concerning, these effects may not be visible. Many women may appear healthy during pregnancy and lactation while accumulating excess body fat or developing fatty liver, which can affect mammary gland development and milk production.
"A high-fat diet not only affects the mother's health, but may also increase the child's risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease."
—Professor Amanda Sferruzzi-Perri
Lower-Income Families Face Greater Barriers as Healthy Food Costs More
Although a healthy diet is essential for mothers and newborns, financial pressure often prevents dietary improvements. Fast food and processed foods are inexpensive, while fresh vegetables and high-quality protein tend to cost more. Families with limited resources may therefore rely more on fast food and fall into a low-nutrition, high-calorie eating pattern.
"As living costs rise, lower-income families are more likely to rely on nutrient-poor foods high in sugar and fat. This may affect not only the mother, but also the child's lifelong health."
—Professor Amanda Sferruzzi-Perri
The researchers emphasized that governments and communities should improve access to healthy food and strengthen nutrition education for pregnant and breastfeeding women, helping them choose healthier diets for themselves and their children.
Healthy Eating Before Conception, During Pregnancy, and While Breastfeeding
To support breast milk quality, scientists recommend that women consider the following before conception, during pregnancy, and while breastfeeding:
Reduce high-sugar, high-fat foods and limit fast food, fried foods, and sugary drinks.
Increase high-quality protein from sources such as lean meat, fish, eggs, and legumes to support mammary gland development and breast milk nutrition.
Eat a balanced range of fresh fruits and vegetables for vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.
Monitor body fat even when weight is normal to reduce health risks such as fatty liver.
Have regular health checks and monitor liver function, blood glucose, and cholesterol levels.
"A healthy mother supports a healthy next generation. A woman's diet before pregnancy and during breastfeeding affects not only her own health, but potentially her child's lifelong health."
—Professor Amanda Sferruzzi-Perri
Conclusion: Diet During Pregnancy Affects Maternal and Infant Health
As fast-food culture spreads worldwide, high-sugar, high-fat diets have become a significant concern for maternal health. Recent research suggests that even short-term heavy consumption of fast food may reduce breast milk quality, affect infant health, and increase the future risk of chronic disease.
Scientists encourage women to pay particular attention to diet quality before conception, during pregnancy, and while breastfeeding. They also call for stronger maternal nutrition education and wider access to healthy foods.
Story source:
Collected online