Diabetes can be a serious and even deadly health condition. It has become well-known that those who eat a balanced diet and frequently exercise lower their risk of developing the condition.
Those who are in better overall health reap a variety of benefits, from living a healthier and longer life to lowering health insurance and life insurance premiums.
Now, research from the University of Pittsburgh reveals another way women can reduce their risk of developing diabetes – breastfeeding.
The study of more than 2,200 women found that those who breast-fed their infant for at least the first month following the child’s birth were almost half as likely to develop diabetes compared to those who never breast-fed or gave birth.
“Our study provides another good reason to encourage women to breastfeed their infants, at least for the infant’s first month of life,” said University of Pittsburgh assistant professor Dr. Eleanor Bilma Schwarz. “Clinicians need to consider women’s pregnancy and lactation history when advising women about their risk for developing type 2 diabetes.”
Those with type 2 diabetes can experience an array of other health conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure are just a few complications that can arise from diabetes.
