Studies have shown that breastfeeding can prevent type 1 diabetes, but milk increases the risk of disease

A new study published at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) held online this year shows that breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of developing type 1 diabetes (T1D)

In T1D, the immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas

What triggers the immune system's attack is unclear, but it is believed to be related to genetic predispositions and environmental triggers (such as viruses or food)

T1D is the most common type of diabetes in children, and its incidence is on the rise worldwide

"Type 1 diabetes is a serious disease that requires life-long treatment," said Ms.

"Understanding more causes is the key to preventing type 1 diabetes and its complications

"The identification of food and other environmental triggers that can be changed will be particularly valuable

Many foods are related to pancreatic islet autoimmunity (attack on insulin-producing cells) and T1D, but no link has been determined, and the existence of this link is still controversial

In the first study in this regard, Ms.

Search the Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library databases, from formation to October 2020, for research on diet, T1D and islet autoimmunity

Of the 5935 studies identified, 152 were eligible for inclusion

Infants who have been breastfed for a long time and those who have been exclusively breastfed are less likely to develop T1D

Those who have been breastfed for at least 6-12 months are less likely to develop T1D than those who have been breastfed for less than 6 months (61% less)

Researchers say that breastfeeding promotes the maturation of the baby's immune system

The high consumption of milk and dairy products such as butter, cheese, yogurt and ice cream in childhood (under 15 years of age) is related to the high risk of islet autoimmunity and T1D

For example, those who drink at least two to three glasses of milk a day (a cup = about 200 ml) are 78% more likely to develop T1D than those who drink less than this amount of milk

The reason behind this association is unclear, but some studies have shown that amino acids in milk (a component of protein) can trigger the immune system to attack the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas
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The premature introduction of milk in the diet is also associated with a high risk of T1D
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Those who started drinking milk when they were two or three months old were 31% less likely to develop T1D than those who started drinking milk earlier
.

Later, the introduction of gluten into the diet reduced the chance of developing T1D by more than half
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Babies who started eating gluten-containing foods (such as cereals, bread, pastries, biscuits, and pasta) at 3-6 months of age were 54% less likely to develop T1D than those who started eating these foods earlier
.

Waiting until the child is 4 to 6 months old before introducing fruit into their diet will reduce their likelihood of developing T1D by 53%
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The authors of the study said that it is unclear whether delaying the intake of these foods directly protects infants from T1D, or whether prolonged breastfeeding is beneficial to infants
.

The age of intake of formula milk, meat and vegetables is not related to the risk of T1D
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The mother’s intake of gluten and vitamin D during pregnancy has no connection with the child’s risk of developing the disease
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Ms.
Lampsey concluded: "Infant and childhood diets may affect the risk of type 1 diabetes
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The most powerful findings are the beneficial effects of breastfeeding and the harmful effects of early intake of milk, gluten and fruits
.

"However, the quality of most evidence so far is limited, and further high-quality research is necessary before making any specific dietary recommendations
.
"