Development and application of a new food composition database to reveal patterns of human milk composition

Abstract

In the crucial early phase of infancy, nutrition profoundly shapes offspring health and development, emphasizing the importance of human milk (HM) in the first 1,000 days of life. HM offers a unique composition rich in bioactive components crucial for infant growth and immunity. However, our understanding of HM composition remains fragmented due to methodological limitations and a lack of comprehensive data frameworks. Existing research often focuses on isolated factors within the mother-milk-infant triad, hindering a holistic understanding. To address this gap, we propose the establishment of a standardized database capable of capturing the dynamic nature of HM composition while integrating maternal, infant, and methodological variables. Such a database would enable researchers to explore the intricate interplay of factors influencing HM composition.