A recent international study, led by the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA-CSIC), has revealed that exclusive breastfeeding during the first month of life not only benefits the baby's development, but it can also help prevent antibiotic resistance. Published in the magazine Nature Communications, the study shows that this type of feeding reduces antimicrobial resistance genes in the baby's intestinal microbiota, contributing to a more balanced flora and less prone to accumulate resistant bacteria. These conclusions are based on an analysis of the microbiota of 66 mother-child pairs over the first year of life.
Additionally, researchers found that this benefit persists even in babies born by cesarean section, who generally face imbalances in their gut flora. The research suggests that interrupting exclusive breastfeeding before six months could be related to an increase in resistance genes, which underscores the importance of prolonging this method of feeding. As the World Health Organization notes the growing concern about antibiotic resistance, this finding opens up new possibilities for prevention starting in early childhood, although experts emphasize respect for each family's individual dietary decisions.
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