Can adults also drink breast milk like children? Is it beneficial or harmful for health?

Mother's milk is very beneficial for children, but can adults also drink this breast milk? Let's know what are its advantages and disadvantages?

Mother's milk is like nectar for a newborn baby. It is rich in all the nutrients required for the development of the baby and strengthening the immune system, but is it equally beneficial for adults? Let's know what experts say on this.

What is breast milk?

 

 

Breast milk contains elements like protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and antibodies. It suits the digestive system of the baby and gives him the strength to fight diseases.

Breast milk for adults

Some people claim that adults can also reap many benefits by drinking breast milk. Let's know about it.

• Building muscle: Some bodybuilders believe that the high nutrients in breast milk can help them build muscle.
• Immunity Booster: Due to its antibody and immunomodulatory properties, it is also considered an immunity booster in adults.
• Improves digestion: Some people find it helpful for digestive problems.
• Helps fight cancer: Some preliminary research has suggested that certain components in breast milk may help kill cancer cells, but this research has been mainly done in the laboratory, not on humans.

However, there is no solid scientific evidence or large-scale human studies to support these claims. Experts believe that adults do not get the same benefits from breast milk as an infant does, as their nutritional requirements are completely different.

These are the potential harms and risks.

Consuming breast milk by adults can be fraught with some serious risks, especially if the milk is obtained from an unknown source.

• Risk of infection: Breast milk is a body fluid. If the woman who provides breast milk is infected with an infectious disease (such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, cytomegalovirus or syphilis) and is unaware of it, the person who drinks the milk can also get these diseases.
• Bacterial contamination: Raw breast milk purchased online or stored unsafely can be contaminated with bacteria. Studies have found that breast milk samples sold online contain high levels of bacteria, which can cause illnesses like pneumonia or diarrhoea.
• Nutrient imbalance: Breast milk is tailored to the needs of infants. For adults, it may not be a balanced source of nutrients, leading to deficiencies or excesses of certain nutrients.
• Digestive problems: Some adults may have digestive problems or allergies when consuming breast milk, as their digestive system is not as capable of digesting lactose as infants are.
• Legal and ethical issues: Buying or selling breast milk online can be associated with legal and ethical issues in many places, as it often lacks proper screening and regulation.

So we can see that breast milk is a wonderful source of nutrition and immunity for babies. For adults, its proven health benefits are negligible, and the risks are quite high. If an adult wants to consume breast milk, they should get it only from a safe and known source to avoid any risks. However, there is really no need for it for adults.