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Acute changes to breast milk composition following consumption of high-fat and high-sugar meals

Ward, Ellen; Yang, Ni; Muhlhausler, Beverly S.; Leghi, Gabriela E.; Netting, Merryn J.; Elmes, Matthew J.; Langley-Evans, Simon C.

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Authors

Ellen Ward

Profile image of NI YANG

Dr NI YANG NI.YANG@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Associate Professor

Beverly S. Muhlhausler

Gabriela E. Leghi

Merryn J. Netting

Matthew J. Elmes

Simon C. Langley-Evans



Abstract

© 2021 The Authors. Maternal & Child Nutrition published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Breast milk composition is influenced by habitual diet, yet little is known about the short-term effects of changes in maternal diet on breast milk macronutrient concentrations. Our aim was to determine the acute effect of increased consumption of sugar/fat on breast milk protein, lactose and lipids. Exclusively breastfeeding women (n = 9) were provided with a control, higher fat (+28 g fat) and higher sugar (+66 g sugar) diet over three separate days at least 1 week apart. Hourly breast milk samples were collected concurrently for the analysis of triglycerides, cholesterol, protein, and lactose concentrations. Breast milk triglycerides increased significantly following both the higher fat and sugar diet with a greater response to the higher sugar compared to control diet (mean differences of 3.05 g/dL ± 0.39 and 13.8 g/dL ± 0.39 in higher fat and sugar diets, respectively [P < 0.001]). Breast milk cholesterol concentrations increased most in response to the higher sugar diet (0.07 g/dL ± 0.005) compared to the control (0.04 g/dL) and the higher fat diet (0.05 g/dL) P < 0.005. Breast milk triglyceride and lactose concentrations increased (P < 0.001, P = 0.006), whereas protein decreased (p = 0.05) in response to the higher fat diet compared to the control. Independent of diet, there were significant variations in breast milk composition over the day; triglycerides and cholesterol concentrations were higher at end of day (P < 0.001), whereas protein and lactose concentrations peaked at Hour 10 (of 12) (P < 0.001). In conclusion, controlled short-term feeding to increase daily sugar/fat consumption altered breast milk triglycerides, cholesterol, protein and lactose. The variations observed in breast milk protein and lactose across the 12 h period is suggestive of a circadian rhythm.

Citation

Ward, E., Yang, N., Muhlhausler, B. S., Leghi, G. E., Netting, M. J., Elmes, M. J., & Langley-Evans, S. C. (2021). Acute changes to breast milk composition following consumption of high-fat and high-sugar meals. Maternal and Child Nutrition, 17(3), Article e13168. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13168

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 9, 2021
Online Publication Date Mar 3, 2021
Publication Date 2021-07
Deposit Date May 4, 2021
Publicly Available Date May 4, 2021
Journal Maternal and Child Nutrition
Print ISSN 1740-8695
Electronic ISSN 1740-8709
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 17
Issue 3
Article Number e13168
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13168
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5407777
Publisher URL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mcn.13168

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