#Finland #Helsinki #Breast Milk #Yili #ESPGHAN

Yili's Recognition for Breast Milk Innovations at ESPGHAN 2025

From May 14 to 17, 2025, Helsinki, Finland, hosted the 57th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN). Among the many presentations, Yili showcased twelve groundbreaking findings focused on breast milk, specifically targeting Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs), lactoferrin, and an optimal balance of dietary fatty acids. The significance of these findings sparked considerable interest among international delegates attending the conference.

One of the standout moments was an exceptional study conducted collaboratively by Yili, Dr. Ai Zhao's team from Tsinghua University, and the National Center of Technology Innovation for Dairy in China. This study utilized machine learning to explore the complex nutritional aspects of breast milk, earning one of the highest ratings among over 1,500 abstracts submitted. The research uncovered that a precisely targeted combination of DHA, EPA, and DSLNT can effectively modulate the gut microbiota of both mothers and infants, paving the way for new nutritional interventions in maternal and infant health.

In addition to this revolutionary finding, Yili presented numerous collaborative studies with institutions such as Tsinghua University, Nanchang University, and the China Agricultural University, which also garnered attention. These studies provided insights into how a mother’s postpartum emotional state impacts her infant’s gut microbiota and cognitive development. Moreover, they examined how a balanced profile of dietary fatty acids could enhance lipid metabolism and cognitive function through microbiota modulation.

A seminar titled "Promoting Healthy Infant Development: Perspectives on Breast Milk, Gut Microbiota, and Nutritional Research" was a highlight of this gathering. During this session, Ignatius Szeto, Yili's vice president, revealed the latest research findings concerning HMOs, emphasizing their crucial role in supporting gut health, immune function, nutrient absorption, and cognitive development in infants. Prof. Zhang Yumei from Peking University’s School of Public Health discussed four vital aspects of breast milk research, highlighting the synergistic benefits of key components such as HMOs, lactoferrin, and nucleotides in supporting the immune, gut, nervous, and metabolic systems in infants.

Prof. Benning from the Amsterdam University Medical Center further stressed the importance of integrating gut health biomarkers in assessing outcomes in pediatric nutrition research.

As a leading player in infant formula, Yili’s Pro-Kido brand has successfully launched a wide array of specialized nutritional solutions worldwide, including ZhenHu, Aronurish, Seine Mouiller, and UITSTEKEND GEITENMELK. Looking ahead, Yili plans to leverage its 15 global innovation centers to foster innovation across the entire value chain and enhance international collaborations in crucial areas of dairy research, aiming to better serve consumers worldwide. In conclusion, the ESPGHAN 2025 meeting served as a significant platform for Yili to showcase its pioneering efforts in enhancing infant nutrition through scientific research, positioning itself at the forefront of this vital field.