Influence of Maternal Dietary Pattern on the Pro-Oxidant and Antioxidant Status of Mother's Own Milk.

Background: Human milk is essential for a child's best development. However, what a mother eats while breastfeeding can directly influence the composition of mother's milk.

Research aim: This study aimed to assess the antioxidant-oxidant profile of human milk and establish a connection between this profile and the dietary habits of the mothers.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Hospital Infantil e Maternidade Alzir Bernardino Alves (HIMABA), located in the municipality of Vila Velha-ES, Brazil. The sample included 98 participants. All volunteers completed a structured interview and a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Approximately 5-10 ml of colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk were manually collected. The antioxidant activity of human milk was assessed using the colorimetric method for free radical scavenging with 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid. Oxidative stress was determined by measuring lipid peroxidation through malondialdehyde concentration, evaluating advanced oxidation protein products, and assessing total protein content using the Bradford method.

Results: The antioxidant profile of colostrum was higher than that observed in later phases of milk, whereas pro-oxidants increased in later phases. Maternal dietary patterns influenced the pro-oxidant status of human milk. Participants with a higher daily intake of milk, dairy products, vegetable oils, olive oils, and legumes exhibited lower levels of lipid peroxidation in colostrum, transition milk, and mature milk, respectively.

Conclusions: Our study highlights the vital role of a balanced maternal diet in shaping the pro-oxidant status of human milk, with implications for infant health.