#Finland #Helsinki #Breast Milk #Yili #HMOs

Yili's Innovations in Breast Milk Research at ESPGHAN 2025

From May 14 to 17, 2025, the beautiful city of Helsinki, Finland hosted the 57th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN). This notable event brought together pediatric experts and health professionals from across the globe, with Yili Group making significant strides in infant nutrition research.

During this prestigious gathering, Yili showcased twelve pioneering studies focused on vital components of breast milk, including human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), lactoferrin, and the precise balance of dietary fatty acids. The studies highlighted the profound impact these components have on infant gut health and overall development. Notably, Yili held a specialized seminar that attracted considerable interest from international delegates and professionals interested in the latest findings in maternal and infant health.

One of the standout studies, undertaken in collaboration with Dr. Ai Zhao's team at Tsinghua University and the National Center of Technology Innovation for Dairy in China, was an exploratory venture into the nutritional complexity of breast milk utilizing machine learning techniques. This research not only received one of the highest scores among over 1,500 submissions to the conference but also unveiled that specific combinations of DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid), EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid), and DSLNT (Differentiated Sialylated Leucine-rich Glycoprotein) are capable of precisely modulating the gut microbiota of both mothers and infants. These insights pave the way for targeted nutritional interventions that could significantly enhance maternal and infant health outcomes.

Additional findings discussed included innovative insights into how the emotional state of mothers in the postpartum period can influence both the gut microbiota and early brain development of their infants. The studies emphasized the importance of a balanced dietary fatty acid profile, showcasing its beneficial effects on lipid metabolism and cognitive functioning facilitated through gut microbiota modulation.

Moreover, new discoveries regarding the potential of human milk fat substitutes (HMFS) in regulating gut microbiota, controlling fat accumulation, and supporting both physical and mental development in infants were presented, further underscoring the importance of continuous research in breast milk alternatives.

The seminar also featured notable speakers such as Dr. Ignatius Szeto, Assistant President of Yili Group, who discussed the significant role of HMOs in enhancing infant gut health, immune responses, and cognitive development. His insights, along with those shared by Professor Zhang Yumei from the School of Public Health at Peking University, highlighted the synergistic benefits of key breast milk components, like lactoferrin and nucleotides, in supporting the various systems crucial for infant health.

The discussions contributed to a comprehensive understanding of breast milk's multifaceted health benefits and positioned Yili as a leader in establishing an AI-driven research paradigm for maternal and infant nutrition. Professor Marc Benning from Amsterdam University Medical Centre emphasized the growing importance of incorporating gut health biomarkers as vital outcome measures in research studies related to infant nutrition.

Yili's brand Pro-Kido, which specializes in infant formula, has already made waves with a variety of tailored nutritional solutions, including products like ZhenHu, Aronurish, Seine Mouiller, and UITSTEKEND GEITENMELK, catering to diverse nutritional needs worldwide.

With an eye towards future advancements, Yili plans to leverage its 15 global innovation centers to drive full-value chain innovation and foster international collaborations focused on dairy research. This commitment aims to enhance the nutritional offerings available for consumers around the world.

In summary, Yili's groundbreaking research shared at the ESPGHAN 2025 offers a beacon of hope and insight for health professionals and new parents alike, reinforcing the essential role of breast milk in infant development and setting the stage for innovative nutritional interventions that can support optimal health outcomes.