The idea of using human breast milk as a remedy for an adult sore throat is a growing topic of discussion. Breast milk is widely recognized as a complex and highly adaptive biological substance that provides infants with robust nutritional and immunological resources. This powerful composition has led some people to consider its use for various adult ailments, including common infections like a sore throat. This article explores the specific components that give breast milk its protective reputation and examines the scientific reality and safety of its use as an adult treatment.
Immune Components in Breast Milk
Human milk contains a sophisticated array of bioactive molecules and cells that actively shape an infant’s developing immune system. One of the most prominent immune factors is secretory Immunoglobulin A (sIgA), which coats the mucosal surfaces of the infant’s digestive and respiratory tracts. This antibody acts like a shield, binding to pathogens and preventing them from adhering to tissues.
Additional proteins like lactoferrin and lysozyme also contribute to the milk’s protective qualities. Lactoferrin binds to iron, limiting nutrient availability for harmful bacteria, while lysozyme breaks down bacterial cell walls. Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) act as prebiotics to foster beneficial gut flora. These non-digestible sugars also function as “decoys,” preventing viruses and bacteria from attaching to the infant’s intestinal lining.
Lack of Clinical Data for Adult Use
Despite the complex immune factors within human milk, there is no clinical evidence or medical recommendation to support its use as an effective treatment for an adult sore throat. The immune components are primarily designed to benefit the developing immune system of an infant. In an adult, the concentration and mechanism of delivery via ingestion are insufficient to combat a systemic or localized viral or bacterial infection in the pharynx.
A sore throat is typically caused by a virus or, less commonly, a bacterial infection that requires a robust, systemic immune response or targeted medication. While some anecdotal reports suggest gargling with breast milk may offer minor relief, this effect is likely due to the milk’s soothing, coating texture rather than a potent antimicrobial action. The benefits of human milk are found in the specialized delivery to the infant gut, not in the low concentration of bioactive molecules absorbed by the adult digestive system. Scientific investigations are often conducted at a cellular level in a laboratory setting, not through the direct consumption of raw milk by adults.
Safety and Sourcing Concerns
Attempting to acquire and consume unpasteurized human milk as an adult remedy carries significant practical and public health risks. Unlike milk from regulated milk banks, which is screened and pasteurized for fragile infants, milk sourced informally online lacks safety oversight. The lack of proper sterilization during expression, storage, and transport can lead to high levels of bacterial contamination.
Studies examining breast milk purchased online have found that a large majority of samples contained detectable bacteria, including Gram-negative bacteria that can cause serious illness. Human milk is a bodily fluid and can transmit infectious diseases if the donor has not been regularly screened. Potential pathogens include Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Hepatitis B and C, HIV, and Syphilis, posing a serious risk to the adult consumer.