Foods during pregnancy: eating avocado linked to lower food allergy risk in babies
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
If you're pregnant and love avocados, here's some good news.
A new study has revealed that your favorite toast topper might do more than satisfy your cravings—it could help protect your baby from developing food allergies during their first year of life.
The research, conducted in Finland, is the first of its kind to directly link maternal avocado consumption with a lower likelihood of infant food allergies.
The study analyzed data from 2,272 mother–child pairs enrolled in the Kuopio Birth Cohort (KuBiCo) between 2013 and 2022.
Researchers discovered that babies born to mothers who ate avocados while pregnant were 44 percent less likely to develop food allergies by their first birthday compared to those whose mothers did not consume the fruit.
Specifically, food allergies were found in 4.2 percent of infants whose mothers did not eat avocados, compared to just 2.4 percent among those who did.
Waist up shot of cheerful African American expectant mother in kitchen holding glass of fresh avocado smoothie and looking away while putting hand on round belly.
Waist up shot of cheerful African American expectant mother in kitchen holding glass of fresh avocado smoothie and looking away while putting hand on round belly.
SeventyFour
Dr. Sari Hantunen, the study's lead author and Senior University Lecturer at the University of Eastern Finland, emphasized the importance of the findings.
"As a caregiver, the growing prevalence of food allergy feels very scary and out of my control," Hantunen said in a statement.
"Based on these findings, it's encouraging to know that eating avocados may provide even more value to maternal and children's health, beyond the benefits that have already been established through scientific research."
While the study cannot establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, the data is compelling.
Mothers who consumed avocados tended to be older at delivery, were more likely to breastfeed longer, and had healthier overall diets.
These factors were accounted for in the analysis, strengthening the link between avocado consumption and lower food allergy risk.
Avocados are a nutrient-dense fruit, offering fiber, healthy fats, folate and lutein—nutrients known to support fetal and infant development.
Avocados are a natural source of nutrients essential for pregnancy and early childhood, including healthy fats crucial for brain development, noted experts at the Avocado Nutrition Center, which supported the research.
The findings also align with current dietary guidelines that recommend pregnant women consume a variety of vegetables, including those rich in healthy fats and essential nutrients.
A single avocado counts as one cup of vegetables and can be an easy addition to a balanced maternal diet.
While further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these benefits, this study provides new insights for expectant mothers seeking ways to promote their child's long-term health.
Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about nutrition? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.
Reference
Cheng, F. W., Bauer, E., Ford, N. A., Backman, K., Voutilainen, R., Pasanen, M., Keski-Nisula, L., & Hantunen, S. (2025). Avocado consumption during pregnancy linked to lower child food allergy risk: Prospective KuBiCo study. Pediatric Research. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-025-03968-4
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