Breastfeeding Could Keep Your Liver Low‑fat, A 25‑Year Study Finds
Long‑term breastfeeding may give moms a shield against liver fat. A U.S. team of researchers looked at 844 women over a quarter‑century and found that those who nursed for six months or more were about half as likely to develop non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) than moms who stopped nursing earlier.
How the Study Was Run
- Participants were followed from the mid‑1980s to the 2010s.
- At the end of the 25‑year period, the average age was 49.
- When the study finished, ~6% of the women had NAFLD.
- The researchers linked breastfeeding length to the risk:
- Up to 1 month: baseline risk.
- 1–6 months: 49% lower risk.
- 6+ months: 52% lower risk.
Why Breastfeeding Might Help
It’s not entirely clear which part of breastfeeding has the biggest effect. Some experts say it’s the whole-body reprogramming that happens during lactation, which keeps metabolism in check and keeps chronic disease at bay. Others point to the fact that moms who breastfeed longer often keep up a healthy lifestyle, especially regular exercise, which is known to combat fatty liver.
Voices from the Research Community
Dr. Veeral Ajmera (UC San Diego) said, “This analysis adds to the growing evidence that nursing is good news for moms.” He added that more work is needed to see if breastfeeding can reduce the severity of NAFLD in high‑risk women.
Yukiko Washio (RTI International & University of Delaware) pointed out that the exercise link can’t be ignored: “Physical activity has a positive impact on fatty liver disease.”
Dr. Lori Feldman‑Winter (Cooper Medical School) emphasized the importance of maintaining milk production for at least the first six months: “That’s how the body reprograms metabolism.” She noted that while diet and weight play a role, lactation’s effect may be the most powerful.
And Jennifer Yourkavitch (University of North Carolina, Greensboro) summed it up: “There’s a mountain of evidence that breastfeeding is a win for both mom and baby. These findings give us another reason to champion it.”
Bottom Line
If you’re a new mom, stick with the baby milk a solid six months if you can. It may do more than just satisfy your little one—it could also help keep your liver healthy for the long haul.
