WOMEN who breastfeed their babies could protect themselves against stroke and heart attacks, research out today suggests.
Data carried out on 139,681 women found those who breastfed were less likely to suffer heart attacks, stroke or heart disease in later life.
Women who had breastfed their babies for more than a year were 10% less likely to develop the conditions.
But even breastfeeding for at least a month could help cut the chances of women developing diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are all linked to heart disease.
The study, at the University of Pittsburgh, in the US, was carried out on women who had passed through the menopause.
On average, 35 years had passed since the women had last breastfed, suggesting the benefits of breastfeeding last many years.
