Golden August: the first strategic asset of our lives is breastfeeding.

Ajinomoto do Brasil’s manager reflects on the impact of breastfeeding on strengthening the immune system and developing healthy eating habits from the first months of life.

*By Marília Zagato

As a mother and a food industry professional, Golden August holds a deeper meaning for me. It’s the month we celebrate breastfeeding, encouraging it and reinforcing its importance for babies’ health. Throughout my journey, breastfeeding has become much more than just feeding my son; it’s an act of love and overcoming challenges.

I had to deal with the challenges of latching at the beginning, hyperlactation, and the fear of mastitis (inflammation of the breast tissue), but knowledge about the power of breast milk is what encouraged me to persevere. Knowing that I was offering the best possible food, which goes far beyond basic nutrients, gave me the strength to continue, even in the most difficult moments. Knowledge brought me a lot of confidence in this process, because I knew that breast milk is a complex biological system, perfectly adapted to the baby’s needs and full of benefits.

Science has fascinated me even more as it delves deeper into this topic. Studies show that breast milk is complex, containing nutrients and immunological factors, including free amino acids in its composition, among them glutamate and glutamine. Glutamate is the amino acid responsible for umami, the fifth taste of the human palate, and its concentration and that of other important amino acids in breast milk increase with breastfeeding time. For a newborn, this means that their first contact with the basic tastes of the human palate is through the umami taste, which, in addition to being nutritious, is pleasurable for the baby.

Besides glutamate, breast milk also contains other important amino acids that work synergistically to strengthen the child’s immune system and intestinal health. As a mother, I know that breastfeeding is not just about “satisfying hunger”; it’s a moment of connection, and knowing that this experience is also shaping my son’s palate in such a fundamental way is truly powerful.

I continue to deepen my studies on the subject and, recently, an article was published showing the relationship between increased free glutamate and a greater presence of microbiota in breast milk. Microbiota, a collection of microorganisms beneficial to the body, can be a crucial defense barrier against bacteria, fungi, and viruses that cause disease. In other words, glutamate is not only contributing to the baby’s palate, but also strengthening their immune system from birth.

Thus, breast milk stimulates the child’s immunity through nutrients and antibodies from the mother, in addition to activating the development of their own intestinal microbiota. All this information makes me see breastfeeding not only as an act of nourishing, but as a foundation for my son’s health throughout his life, with a greater potential to protect him against chronic diseases and allergies in the future.

Early contact with the umami taste positively influences the acceptance of new foods and facilitates the introduction of solid foods, which begins around six months of age. From this moment on, the child begins to become familiar with other foods, and it becomes essential for parents to introduce different tastes, textures, and flavors to stimulate the proper functioning of the taste buds. Knowing tastes from an early age contributes to the development of a balanced eating habit, with good food acceptance and a variety of food groups.

Finally, the umami taste in breast milk also plays an important role in the formation of eating habits. As a mother, I began to pay more attention to the variety of foods, the different ways of preparing them, and the importance of stimulating my son’s palate.

Breastfeeding is a starting point, but the journey to a balanced diet is continuous. And, even though breastfeeding is related to physiological issues for both mother and baby, the certainty that breast milk offers such a complete first taste experience is very powerful.

*Marília Zagato, mother, nutritionist and Marketing-Nutrition Manager at Ajinomoto do Brasil.