A new study adds to the impressive array of health benefits associated with breastfeeding a child¹ for six months or longer. The study found that the longer the breastfeeding period, the greater the leg strength at adolescent age.

This study confirms the absolute importance of optimal nutrition during formative years, especially the first few years of life. This early foundation leads to superior function later in life. The fact that muscle strength is better, also confers many metabolic advantages – meaning a child is much less likely to gain weight or become insulin resistant. Many hormones, especially thyroid and growth hormone, work synergistically to improve muscle performance.

This makes it more likely that the child will be able to have better muscle function in older age, which is directly predictive of longevity.