Antioxidant properties of human milk

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