Researchers looked at how healthy plant compounds from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains pass into breast milk and might help babies develop better. These plant compounds, called polyphenols, can transfer from a mother’s diet into her milk. While scientists have found these compounds in breast milk over the past 10 years, there’s still not enough evidence to prove they directly help babies grow and develop. A mother’s diet, how long she breastfeeds, and her genetics all seem to affect how many of these helpful compounds end up in her milk. Scientists say we need more research to understand exactly how important these compounds are for babies.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether healthy plant compounds from fruits and vegetables that mothers eat can pass into breast milk and help babies develop properly
  • Who participated: This was a review of 20 previous studies about polyphenols in breast milk. The review didn’t involve new participants but looked at what other scientists had already discovered
  • Key finding: Plant compounds from healthy foods do appear in breast milk and can reach babies, but scientists don’t yet have strong proof that these compounds directly improve how babies grow and develop
  • What it means for you: Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while breastfeeding is still a good idea for your health and may benefit your baby, but don’t expect it to be a magic solution. More research is needed to understand the real impact

The Research Details

This was a narrative review, which means scientists read and analyzed 20 different studies about polyphenols in breast milk that were published over the last 10 years. Instead of doing a new experiment, the researchers looked at what other scientists had already found and tried to understand the big picture. They examined whether plant compounds from mothers’ diets actually made it into breast milk, what factors changed how much of these compounds were in the milk, and whether these compounds helped babies develop better. The researchers looked at different types of studies with different numbers of mothers and babies to get a complete understanding of what we know so far.

A review like this is important because it helps scientists and doctors understand what we’ve learned so far and what questions still need answers. By looking at many studies together, researchers can see patterns and figure out where the evidence is strong and where we need more research. This type of study helps guide future research and helps doctors give better advice to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers

This review was published in a well-respected scientific journal that focuses on food and nutrition science. However, because this is a review of other studies rather than a new experiment, the strength of the conclusions depends on the quality of the studies reviewed. The researchers were honest about the fact that current evidence is limited and that more research is needed. This honesty is a good sign of scientific integrity

What the Results Show

Scientists found that plant compounds from healthy foods do pass from mothers into breast milk. When mothers eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, some of the beneficial compounds from these foods show up in their milk. This means babies who are breastfed are getting some of these plant compounds. However, the amount of these compounds in breast milk varies quite a bit from mother to mother. The research shows that what a mother eats definitely influences how much of these compounds end up in her milk, but scientists still don’t have clear proof that these compounds directly help babies develop better. Some studies suggest that other factors like how long a mother breastfeeds, her genetics, and her body’s unique way of processing food also affect the amounts of these compounds in milk.

The review found that the stage of breastfeeding matters—early milk and later milk have different amounts of these compounds. A mother’s genetics and her unique body chemistry (how her body breaks down and uses food) seem to play a role in determining which plant compounds end up in her milk. The mother’s age, where she lives, and other personal characteristics may also influence the composition of her milk. Different mothers seem to have very different amounts of these compounds in their milk, even when eating similar diets

This review brings together research from the last 10 years on this specific topic. While scientists have known for a long time that eating fruits and vegetables is healthy, the specific question of whether plant compounds in breast milk help babies is relatively new. This review shows that we’re just beginning to understand this connection and that previous research has been limited in scope. Most earlier studies looked at only a few types of plant compounds rather than the full range available in food

The biggest limitation is that only 20 studies have looked at this topic, and many of them were small. Most studies only measured a few types of plant compounds rather than all of them. Scientists don’t yet know what amounts of these compounds would actually be helpful for babies or whether the amounts found in breast milk are enough to make a real difference. The studies didn’t always measure the same things in the same ways, making it hard to compare results. Most importantly, there’s not enough evidence yet to prove that these compounds actually help babies develop better—we just know they’re present in the milk

The Bottom Line

Mothers who are pregnant or breastfeeding should continue eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This is good for the mother’s health and may benefit the baby, though we don’t yet have strong proof of the specific benefits from plant compounds in breast milk. This recommendation has moderate confidence because healthy eating is proven to be good for mothers, even if the specific benefit to babies through breast milk isn’t fully proven yet

Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should care about this research because it suggests their diet matters for their milk. Parents of breastfed babies might find this interesting but shouldn’t change their feeding plans based on this research alone. Healthcare providers should be aware of this emerging area of research. People interested in nutrition science and how diet affects health will find this relevant

If a mother improves her diet, the plant compounds should appear in her milk relatively quickly—within days to weeks. However, any benefits to the baby would likely take weeks to months to observe, and we don’t yet have clear evidence of what those benefits would be

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily servings of colorful fruits, vegetables, and whole grains (aim for at least 5 servings of produce daily). Log the specific types eaten to monitor variety, as different plants contain different beneficial compounds
  • Add one new fruit or vegetable to your daily diet each week while breastfeeding. Use the app to set reminders to eat a serving of produce with each meal, making it easier to consistently get these plant compounds into your diet and potentially your milk
  • Track dietary patterns over weeks and months rather than looking for immediate changes. Monitor overall health markers like energy levels and digestion. Note any changes in baby’s health or development, though understand that many factors influence infant development beyond breast milk composition

This review summarizes current scientific understanding but does not provide medical advice. The evidence that plant compounds in breast milk directly improve infant development is still limited. Breastfeeding decisions should be made in consultation with healthcare providers. Mothers with specific health conditions or dietary concerns should discuss their diet with their doctor or a registered dietitian. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.