Adherence to a DASH dietary pattern in correlation with breast milk composition and psychological performance in lactating women
Adherence to a DASH dietary pattern in correlation with breast milk composition and psychological performance in lactating women
Samira Karbasi,1,*Afsane Bahrami,2Asghar zarban,3
1. Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran 2. Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran 3. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
Introduction: Mother milk is nutrient-rich and essential for a baby’s health through its role in nutrition and immunological development. This study aimed to find the association between adherence to a DASH dietary pattern and breast milk composition and psychological performance in both mothers and their infants.
Methods: A total of 700 milk samples were obtained from 340 women who were randomly selected from four different areas. The dietary intakes of the study mothers were estimated by a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) including 65 food items. Psychological functions of subjects were assessed by standard and valid instruments. The total antioxidant statues (TAS) of milk samples were evaluated by the ferric reducing/antioxidant power assay (FRAP), 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, malondialdehyde (MDA) and thiol assay. Also, using commercially available kits, the total protein, calcium (Ca), and triglyceride contents of milk were determined.
Results: Subjects with the highest tertile of DASH DP had higher scores of milk DPPH, thiol and calcium compared to those in the first tertile (p< 0.05). Milk MDA was significantly lower in the 3rd tertile of DASH DP versus the 1st tertile (P<0.05). Mothers with the third tertile of DASH DP had significantly lower sleep latency compared to those in the first tertile (p<0.05). On the other hand, the increase in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and sleep efficiency were positively linked to the highest tertile DASH DP. Total infant sleep disorders with 3rd tertile of DASH DP were significantly lower compared to those in the first tertile (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that a DASH diet could significantly increase milk oxidant/antioxidant status and decrease sleep problems in both mothers and their infants. Furthermore, prospective studies are required to validate these results.