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Zhuang Pinghui

Breast milk from Chinese mothers contains more protein than that of Japanese and American mothers, but could do with more fat, a study has shown.
The research, conducted by the Shanghai Children's Medical Centre, is the first study of the complete nutrient content of Chinese mothers' breast milk, according to the centre's paediatrics professor Chen Tongxin, who led the study.
"We all know breast milk is best, but exactly what nutrients are in Chinese mothers' breast milk and how much nutrient they contain were not known," Chen said. "Our study fills that blank."
The 20-year research studied thousands of samples from mothers in various parts of China, including Shanghai, Chongqing , Jilin and Zhejiang provinces.
READ MORE: Hong Kong mothers’ milk contains plenty of nutrients, researchers find, deeming it superior to formula
It calculated the levels of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, organic acids, trace minerals, vitamins and immunity-related functional molecules in the milk.
The study found an average of 1.74 grams of protein in every 100g of Chinese mothers' milk, compared with 1.19g and 0.99g in Japanese and American mothers' milk, respectively.
Chen said the protein-level study was conducted in Shanghai, where seafood intake was high. Breastfeeding Chinese mothers also tended to consume more meat and fish, he said.

High levels of linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid, and low levels of palmitic acid and stearic acid reflected the large amount of vegetables in the Chinese diet, the professor said. But the higher sodium content compared with milk from Japanese and Swedish mothers was probably because of their high salt intake, he added.
The level of fatty acid in Shanghai mothers' milk was low, Chen said, indicating they should increase their fat intake.
The findings can provide a theoretical basis for feeding guidelines for babies, as well as scientific evidence for the use of baby milk formula, nutritional intervention and the addition of solid food to infants' diets.
READ MORE: Breastfeeding is on the rise in Hong Kong - so why do so many mothers still believe formula milk is more nutritious?
"We know it's not possible to fully copy breast milk, but when we have to make formula food to boost nutrition … we now know what level of nutrients the products should contain," Chen said.
World Bank figures showed that in 1998, 67 per cent of Chinese babies below six months lived on breast milk alone.
Gordon Cheung Chi-leung, project fellow of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University's Food Safety and Technology Research Centre, said the database could throw light on whether breastfeeding mothers' diets should be adjusted.
While Shanghai mothers' milk had a lower amount of fatty acids, the phenomenon was probably the opposite in Hong Kong, Cheung said.
"There are many working mothers [in Hong Kong]," Cheung said.
"If eating out is common for them, their fat content should be high."
The study also found higher levels of lead and mercury in Chinese mothers' milk compared with breast milk from mothers in other countries, but they were still below the maximum levels allowed in national safety standard guidelines.
Additional reporting by Elizabeth Cheung
 


Chinese mothers’ milk has ‘more protein than those of Japanese, US mums, but needs more fat’

The research studied thousands of samples from mothers in various parts of China.

Photo: AP

Hong Kong mothers’ milk contains plenty of nutrients, researchers find, deeming it superior to formula

Many local mothers have opted for formula but the researchers found their breast milk provided sufficient nutrients. Photo: SCMP

Many local mothers have opted for formula but the researchers found their breast milk provided sufficient nutrients. Photo: EPA

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China

People & Culture

Study on breast milk across Chinese provinces throws light on exactly how much nutrient it contains


Study on breast milk across Chinese provinces throws light on how much nutrient it contains


Chinese mothers’ milk has ‘more protein than those of Japanese, US mums, but needs more fat’

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Study on breast milk across Chinese provinces throws light on exactly how much nutrient it contains

Study on breast milk across Chinese provinces throws light on exactly how much nutrient it contains