Affiliations: Breastfeeding Committee of the Spanish Pediatric
Association, Valencia, Spain | Valencia-Dr. Peset Health Department, Arabista
Ambrosio Huici Primary Care Center, Pediatric Unit, Valencia, Spain | Department of Pediatrics, Cantabria University School
of Medicine, Santander, Spain | Pediatric Unit, Torre Ramona Primary Care Center,
Zaragoza, Spain | Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Peset University
Hospital, Valencia, Spain
Abstract: Human milk can be considered a complete source of antioxidants. The
antioxidant protection offered by breastfeeding is key to an adequate health
protection after birth. Several antioxidant components have already been
described, but many others are still hidden to present knowledge. New
antioxidant components and antioxidant properties of known compounds, are being
discovered every day worldwide but more is yet to come. The study of different
ways to preserve the antioxidant capacity of breastmilk along lactation, and
factors which may improve the antioxidant status of mother and infant,
constitute important fields of research. However, many questions are still to
be answered. More research on methods for extraction and storage of expressed
breast milk is needed in order to best preserve antioxidant properties and
constituents of breast milk. This review summarizes our present knowledge on
the antioxidant content and properties of human breast milk.
Keywords: Antioxidants, breastfeeding, free radicals, human milk, lactation, oxidative stress