The Claim
Holder pasteurization reduces DPPH scavenging, superoxide scavenging, and ferricyanide reduction activities in donor human milk while preserving hydroxyl scavenging and iron chelation activities.
What the research says
Roughly balanced
Support and challenge are close. The picture may shift as more studies come in.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Holder pasteurization decreases some antioxidant functions in donor human milk, such as DPPH scavenging, superoxide scavenging, and ferricyanide reduction, but does not reduce hydroxyl scavenging and iron chelation.
See the scientific wording
Holder pasteurization reduces multiple antioxidant functions in donor human milk, including DPPH scavenging, superoxide scavenging, and ferricyanide reduction, while preserving hydroxyl scavenging and iron chelation, suggesting that the process selectively impairs certain antioxidant pathways without uniformly degrading all protective components.
Heating milk destroys certain proteins and molecules that fight harmful radicals and reduce metals, but leaves other proteins intact that trap iron and stop it from making more radicals. This means some defenses break down, but the iron-trapping defense stays strong.
What the research says
1 studyStudy: Loss of antioxidant function in donor human milk after holder pasteurization: a pilot study
Pasteurizing donor milk makes some of its protective abilities weaker, like fighting certain harmful molecules, but leaves other protections just as strong. So it doesn’t ruin everything—just some parts.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.