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Med diet 'cuts baby asthma risk' | Med diet 'cuts baby asthma risk' |
(30 minutes later) | |
Pregnant women who eat a Mediterranean diet may help protect their children from asthma and other allergies, researchers say. | |
The Crete team studied 468 mothers and their children from pregnancy to six and a half years after the birth. | |
They found asthma and allergies were significantly less common in children whose mothers ate lots of vegetables, fruit, nuts and fish during pregnancy. | They found asthma and allergies were significantly less common in children whose mothers ate lots of vegetables, fruit, nuts and fish during pregnancy. |
The Thorax study also found eating high levels of red meat increased the risk. | |
It made that conclusion in cases where red meat was being eaten more than three to four times a week. | |
This is of particular significance to mothers in the UK as we have one of the highest rates of childhood asthma worldwide Leanne MaleAsthma UK | This is of particular significance to mothers in the UK as we have one of the highest rates of childhood asthma worldwide Leanne MaleAsthma UK |
More than five million people in the UK have asthma, and one in 10 children is affected. | More than five million people in the UK have asthma, and one in 10 children is affected. |
Previous work by the same team, from the University of Crete, found that children who ate a Mediterranean diet appeared to be protected from asthma and allergies. | Previous work by the same team, from the University of Crete, found that children who ate a Mediterranean diet appeared to be protected from asthma and allergies. |
The latest study suggests that the protective effect of the diet may kick in an even earlier stage. | The latest study suggests that the protective effect of the diet may kick in an even earlier stage. |
The researchers found that by the time the children were six-and-a-half years old their diet appeared to have little impact on their risk of asthma and allergy. | The researchers found that by the time the children were six-and-a-half years old their diet appeared to have little impact on their risk of asthma and allergy. |
However, their mother's diet during pregnancy appeared to be much more important. | However, their mother's diet during pregnancy appeared to be much more important. |
Beneficial nutrients | Beneficial nutrients |
Consumption of vegetables more than eight times a week, of fish more than three times a week, and of legumes more than once a week, seemed to be particularly protective. | Consumption of vegetables more than eight times a week, of fish more than three times a week, and of legumes more than once a week, seemed to be particularly protective. |
The researchers said the Mediterranean diet tended to be well balanced and full of foods which contained beneficial vitamins and minerals. | The researchers said the Mediterranean diet tended to be well balanced and full of foods which contained beneficial vitamins and minerals. |
In particular, the diet was high in antioxidants, which help to keep tissues - including those in the lungs - healthy. | In particular, the diet was high in antioxidants, which help to keep tissues - including those in the lungs - healthy. |
Fatty acids from fish were known to help cut potentially damaging inflammation. | Fatty acids from fish were known to help cut potentially damaging inflammation. |
The Thorax study continues: "Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms of this protective effect and the most relevant window of exposure." | The Thorax study continues: "Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms of this protective effect and the most relevant window of exposure." |
Leanne Male, assistant director of Research at the charity Asthma UK, said: "This supports our advice to pregnant mothers to eat a healthy, balanced diet. | Leanne Male, assistant director of Research at the charity Asthma UK, said: "This supports our advice to pregnant mothers to eat a healthy, balanced diet. |
"It is of particular significance to mothers in the UK as we have one of the highest rates of childhood asthma worldwide, with one in 10 children suffering from the condition." | "It is of particular significance to mothers in the UK as we have one of the highest rates of childhood asthma worldwide, with one in 10 children suffering from the condition." |
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