DOES FREEZE-DRYING SAVE THE NUTRIENTS IN MY BREAST MILK?

At Milkify, we believe in evidence-based scientific research.

Researchers around the world have been researching this topic for decades and they agree that freeze-drying is a safe and effective way to preserve the nutritional, immunological, and probiotic properties of breast milk that make it the gold standard of nutrition.

Below is a summary of some of the research highlights regarding how freeze-drying affects the important components of breast milk, and you see can the more at the link below!

See the full research

NUTRIENTS

Human milk is the ideal food to nourish infants. It contains vital macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, & fats) that are needed for healthy development.

The overall caloric density of breast milk is not altered by freeze-drying, and in addition, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates (including human milk oligosaccharides) were found to be protected by freeze-drying.

ANTIOXIDANTS / VITAMINS

Antioxidants in breast milk help prevent damage to important cellular components caused by reactive oxygen species. Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients that are also important for development and functioning of various organ systems.

Freeze-drying has been shown to have no significant effect on the ability of antioxidants in breast milk to function properly.

The Effect of Lyophilization on Selected Biologically Active Components (Vitamin C, Catalase, Lysozyme), Total Antioxidant Capacity and Lipid Oxidation in Human Milk

IMMUNE FACTORS

Breast milk contains a complex mix of immune factors that help provide protection from infection. Antibodies, cytokines, growth factors, and other bioactive factors in breast milk are important forms of protection while the infant's own immune system is maturing.

Freeze-drying resulted in retention of 75% of IgA antibodies, and 80% of IgG and IgM antibodies

PROBIOTICS & PREBIOTICS

Human breast milk is a living food! Probiotic bacteria in your breast milk (such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) are important for establishing your infant's initial gut microbiota. Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are important prebiotics for these bacteria, as they provide the food that these bacteria use to grow and multiply.

Freeze-drying is a common method of preservation for probiotic bacteria, and is used routinely in research and industrial applications. In addition, the HMOs in breast milk are not affected by freeze-drying.