What’s special about the breast milk produced by Mennonite mothers?

Quick Summary: A recent study suggests women living in a traditional farming Mennonite community can generate immunity through long-term exposure to farm animals and foods. The study suggests babies can acquire some of this protection against allergic diseases through their mother’s milk.

A recent study compared breast milk produced by mothers from a traditional farming community to the breast milk of mothers living in a nearby city with a modern urban lifestyle.

The study found breast milk from mothers living in an old order Mennonite community in New York state have higher levels of beneficial antibodies, microbes and metabolites.

This could impact the development of the infant microbiome and the infant immune system. The result is that breast milk produced by Mennonite mothers may better protect babies from allergies.

According to Co-author Dr Antti E. Seppo, an associate professor at the Department of Pediatrics of the University of Rochester:

“Our findings indicate that that breast milk from old order Mennonite mothers contains higher levels of beneficial antibodies, microbes and metabolites that help to ‘program’ the developing gut microbiota and immune system of their babies. These may protect infants against developing…