Yes, you can drink breast milk, but it's important to understand the context and potential factors involved.
Based on insights from registered dietitian Jessica Cording, while it's not necessarily harmful to consume breast milk from another person, there are important conditions to consider.
Is Drinking Breast Milk Safe for Adults?
According to Jessica Cording, RD, quoted in a SELF article from September 7, 2017:
"It's not necessarily harmful to drink someone else's breast milk (provided they don't have an underlying infectious disease)..."
This statement highlights a crucial caveat: the safety depends on the health status of the donor. Breast milk, like blood or other bodily fluids, can potentially transmit infectious diseases.
Key Safety Considerations
- Infectious Diseases: The primary risk associated with drinking someone else's breast milk is the potential transmission of viruses such as HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and others. This is why milk banks rigorously screen donors and pasteurize milk.
- Storage and Handling: Improper storage or handling of breast milk can lead to bacterial contamination, which could cause illness.
Are There Benefits to Drinking Breast Milk as an Adult?
While breast milk is perfectly formulated to meet the nutritional needs of human infants, the reference indicates a lack of evidence regarding benefits for adults.
As Jessica Cording notes:
"...there's no evidence to suggest that it's beneficial, New York--based Jessica Cording, RD, tells SELF.07-Sept-2017"
This suggests that while it provides nutrients, there is no scientific consensus or evidence proving specific health advantages for adults compared to other food sources.
Summary of Considerations
Here's a quick look at the points discussed:
| Aspect | Status / Finding | Source Reference Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Harmful? | Not necessarily, if the donor is healthy. | Risk is linked to donor health (infectious disease). |
| Beneficial? | No evidence to suggest so for adults. | Lacks proven health advantages for adult consumption. |
| Source | Another person's breast milk. | Relies on the health screening and practices of the donor. |
Practical Insights
- Donor Health is Key: If considering drinking breast milk from someone you know, ensuring they are free of transmissible diseases is paramount.
- No Proven Health Boost: Don't expect drinking breast milk as an adult to provide unique health benefits beyond what a balanced diet offers.
- Milk Banks: Human milk banks exist primarily to provide screened and pasteurized breast milk to vulnerable infants (like premature babies) whose mothers cannot supply it. They are not typically resources for general adult consumption.
In conclusion, while physically possible and not inherently harmful under specific healthy conditions, drinking breast milk as an adult is not supported by evidence as providing any particular benefit and carries potential risks if the source is not verified.
