BINC (2026)

09/06/2022

Why is lactoferrin important for babies’ healthy development?💧

Lactoferrin is a multifunctional iron-binding protein present in breastmilk that has recently become the subject of attention for researchers in the field of infants’ health because of its distinct functions. In this short video, Sharon Donovan, professor and researcher at the University of Illinois explains the health benefits of lactoferrin in early life and its essential role in babies’ growth and development.

Enjoy!
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14/04/2022

NEW DROP OF SCIENCE VIDEO! 💧

What are the roles and functions of the human milk microbiome in maternal and infant health?

Learn all about it with Professor Shelley McGuire, Professor of paediatrics at the University of Idaho.

31/03/2022

NEW DROP OF SCIENCE EPISODE 💧

In this episode, Professor Sharon Donovan, scientific expert and director of research at the University of Illinois, introduces the fascinating subject of Osteopontin (OPN), a protein naturally found in human breast milk.

Watch this episode to learn about the roles and functions of OPN in infant health!

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17/03/2022

Watch our new Drop of Science episode!

Professor Lars Bode, scientific expert and director of Research at UC San Diego- USA, gives an introduction on the fascinating subject of Human Milk Oligosaccharides.

If you want to learn more about the roles, functions, and mechanisms of action of HMOs, watch this episode 👶

08/03/2022

Happy International Women’s Day✨

16/02/2022

What are the fundamental micronutrients for babies' healthy development?

Micronutrients, often referred to as vitamins and minerals, are crucial for healthy development and disease prevention.
Except for Vitamin D, micronutrients are not produced in the body and must be derived from the diet.

- Zinc promotes immune functions and helps infants resist infectious diseases including diarrhea. Good sources of Zinc are seeds, whole grains, red meat, milk, yoghurt, eggs, legumes (particularly lentils and beans), shellfish and nuts.

- Iron is critical for motor and cognitive development. Children and pregnant women are vulnerable to the consequences of iron deficiency. Recommended sources of iron are spinach, beans, lentils, chickpeas, peas, soybeans, red meat, eggs, pumpkin seeds, fortified cereals, dried fruit, turkey, broccoli and fish.

- Vitamin A supports immune system functions. Children with vitamin A deficiency face an increased risk of blindness and are more exposed to infections and diarrhea. Vitamin A can be found in tomatoes, kale, spinach, broccoli, carrots, sweet potato, pumpkin, red bell pepper, mango, papaya, apricot, fish oils, milk, eggs, cheese and fortified foods.

- Vitamin D is an important building block to strengthen bones by helping the body absorb calcium. Common sources of vitamin D include salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring, sardines, egg yolk, fortified cereals, milk and orange juice,

- Folate (Folic acid) is a form of vitamin B9. In the prenatal period, it is essential for fetal growth and for the healthy development of the brain and spine. Folate is typically found in leafy greens (such as spinach, kale and arugula) asparagus, brussels sprouts, broccoli, avocado, beans, lentils, peas, peanuts, beetroot, sunflower seeds, fresh fruits and juices, whole grains and eggs.

To learn more about babies' nutritional requirements read our newest article: https://binc-geneva.org/en/2021/11/23/what-are-babies-and-toddlers-nutritional-requirements-over-time/
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07/02/2022

Feeding challenges in toddlers and children 🍽

At around 15 months, toddlers start eating mashed or chopped foods, and they are exposed to a wide range of new different textures while eating. In this transitional period, behaviors like neophobia or picky eating are often observed. While in most cases they are normal and transitory, they put young children at risk of nutritional inadequacies.

Picky eating: refers to the acceptance of only a narrow range of foods, and rejection of both familiar and unfamiliar foods.
Several studies in healthy children from developed countries have reported excessive protein and sodium intake, as well as insufficient intake of vitamins D, E, A, and fiber. Fortified young child formula may be best to ensure that nutritional requirements are met.

Neophobia: refers to the tendency to reject unfamiliar foods and emerges during the second year of life. It is thought to be an innate predisposition developed to protect the toddler from putting toxic elements in their mouth. In this situation, to avoid nutrient inadequacies, you should get nutritional advice from your pediatrician to ensure appropriate intakes of iron, vitamin D, vitamin E, and fiber, and ensure that protein intake is not too high.

To learn more about babies' nutritional requirements read our newest article: https://binc-geneva.org/en/2021/11/23/what-are-babies-and-toddlers-nutritional-requirements-over-time/

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31/01/2022

What is the human milk microbiome and what are its functions in early life and motherhood? 🤱
Drop of Science is a series of videos that gives the floor to world-class scientific experts on the key nutrients of early life nutrition.
In this episode, Professor Shelley McGuire, Professor of paediatrics at the University of Idaho, USA, outlines the roles and functions of the human milk microbiome. Enjoy!

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13/01/2022

According to the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), 'prebiotics are selectively fermented ingredients that result in specific changes in the composition and/or activity of the gastrointestinal microbiota, thus conferring benefit(s) upon host health.'
Prebiotics are non-digestible compounds that act as a fuel source for health-promoting microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract which is required for the protection against pathogens and the improvement of the intestinal barrier function. They help stimulate the growth of good gut bacteria by acting as food for the bacteria. They are predominant in many high-fiber foods, including bananas, apples and whole grains.
Researchers have focused on the following types of prebiotics:
• Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
• Galactooligosaccharides (GOS)
• Inulin
These types of prebiotics serve as food for the microbiota, increasing the overall gastrointestinal tract health.
Prebiotics, such as GOS, can exert a direct antimicrobial effect and thus, block the adhesion of pathogenic bacteria to the intestinal cell walls.

03/01/2022

Biostime Institute for Nutrition and Care wishes you a healthy and joyful 2022!

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17/11/2021

World Prematurity Day (WPD) takes place every 17th November and is aimed at raising awareness of preterm birth and the struggles it brings upon babies’ and families’ lives worldwide. Every year, around 15 million babies are born preterm accounting for 1 in 10 babies. Very sadly, prematurity is the leading cause of death in children under 5, and WPD is organized to spread the word and increase resources and knowledge to prevent it as well as to educate staff to better support the families affected by it.
Additionally, the global pandemic and the safety measures put in place have caused many parents and babies to be separated. Therefore, this year’s theme is Zero Separation and it emphasizes the importance of babies being with their parents for healthy development.
For more information and to know how you can contribute, please find the link below.
https://www.efcni.org/activities/campaigns/wpd/wpdmaterial/

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12/11/2021

Scientists have established that there is a strong connection between the brain and the microbiota (the trillions of microorganisms in our bodies). This connection is one of the major regulators of the gut-brain function and is named the gut-brain Axis. Many refer to it as the ‘brain in your gut’ located in the walls of the digestive system. This ‘second brain’ is called the enteric nervous system which is composed of at least 100 million nerve cells located across our intestinal tract.
The microbiota and the brain communicate with each other via the immune system, the vagus nerve, and the enteric nervous system, involving microbial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids.
Our gut and brain also communicate through the neurons that travel across our bodies. There are around 100 billion neurons in our brain and 500 million in our gut.

In early life, many factors can influence the microbiota's composition, including, mode of birth delivery, infection, use of antibiotic medications, nutrition, environment. Stress has been shown to significantly impact the microbiota-gut-brain axis at different stages of life.
Current research studies seek to understand the underlying mechanisms of the microbiota-gut-brain axis for potential future therapeutic prevention.

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BINC