🥑 Avocados – a trend favored by the millennial generation – may have far greater health benefits than previously thought, especially for pregnant women and the health of their babies.
🔬 What did the study reveal?
A team of Finnish scientists from the University of Eastern Finland analyzed data from over 2,200 mothers and babies.
Women who consumed avocados during pregnancy were 44% less likely to have their children develop food allergies by the age of 1.
Only 2.4% of the babies of these women developed allergies, compared to 4.2% of mothers who did not eat avocado.
🤔 Why does avocado work?
Although scientists cannot determine the exact reason for sure, they have several theories:
The antioxidants in avocados may help regulate the fetus's immune system.
High fiber helps build a healthy microbiome in the gut, which protects against allergies.
⚠️ Food allergies on the rise
In Britain and other countries, allergies to foods such as milk, eggs, nuts and seafood have doubled in the last 10 years.
4% of preschool children have serious allergies, while in adults over 45 this number is only 0.5%.
Reactions can range from skin rashes to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction that stops breathing.
📊 Other common factors among avocado consumers:
According to the study, mothers who ate avocados were more likely to be:
Older at childbearing age
non-smoker
They had not had a cesarean birth
They were mothers for the first time.
📌 It is worth noting:
Avocado had no effect on cases of allergic rhinitis (sneezing/blocked nose) or eczema.
However, the results are a new impetus in research into the prevention of food allergies, for which there is currently no cure.
👩⚕️ Words from an expert
Dr. Sari Hantunen, co-author of the study:
"While there is no cure for food allergies, it is encouraging to know that foods like avocado may offer new benefits for mothers and children."
📣 Call to action
With thousands of severe cases each year and around 10 deaths from allergies in Britain each year, family members and campaigners continue to demand that governments take strong action – including appointing an “allergy commissioner” to improve services and public awareness.
🔄 Conclusion: A simple fruit like avocado could play an important role in children's long-term health. Although more research is needed to understand the exact mechanism, this is a promising step towards natural prevention of food allergies.. /GazetaExpress/
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