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# Breastfed children have stronger cardiovascular system?
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/breastfed_children_have_stronger_cardiovascular_system_031811120/
- Published: 2011-03-18T13:08:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:01:01.000Z
- Description: Among 306 five-year-olds, those exclusively breastfed for three to six months had carotid intima-media thickness 21 micrometers greater than formula-fed children. Shorter or longer breastfeeding matched formula feeding, and carotid stiffness did not differ between the groups.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Lifestyle, Health News, Breastfeeding, #vivvo-import

A new study in the current issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests breastfeeding and formula-feeding have different impacts on the cardiovascular system in young children.

The study led by Annemieke MV Evelein and colleagues of University Medical Center Utrecht in Utrecht , Netherlands showed 5-year old children who were breastfed had a greater carotid intima-media thickness, compared with those who were bottle-fed.

For the study, the researchers measured CIMT, distensibility and elastic modulus in 306 chidren aged 5.

They found those 5-year children who were exclusively breastfed for 3 to 6 months in infancy had a CIMT that was 21 micrometer greater than that of children who were exclusively formula-fed.

Interestingly, children who were exclusively breastfed for less than 3 months or more than 6 months had a CIMT that was similar to that of formula-fed children.

Additionally, the researchers observed the two feeding methods did not make any difference in carotid stiffness.

David Liu