Latest news with #SariHantunen
The Independent
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Eating this fruit while pregnant lowers your baby's chance of developing food allergies
Researchers say a simple, common fruit might be the key to preventing a baby from developing a food allergy. Avocados have been identified as a food to eat while pregnant, that can help reduce that risk, researchers found. 'As a caregiver, the growing prevalence of food allergy feels very scary and out of my control,' Sari Hantunen, of the University of Eastern Finland, said in a statement. 'There is no cure for food allergy, but promising prevention and therapeutic strategies are in development as well as emerging research such as this.' Hantunen is an author of the observational study that was published earlier this month in the journal Nature Pediatric Research. Notably, the study was authored by several members of the Avocado Nutrition Center and Hass Avocado Board. The groups work to grow the world's scientific understanding of the avocado and expand demand for them in the U.S. The research The study is the first to link eating avocados in pregnancy to a lower risk of infant food allergies. To reach these conclusions, the authors examined nearly 2,300 pairs of mothers and their children in Finland. They analyzed data collected from 2013 to 2022, with people reporting their eating habits in a questionnaire. The allergic outcomes of their infants were assessed when the babies were one year old. Of the mothers who had consumed fresh avocado during their pregnancy, they found that infants had 44 percent lower odds of developing food allergies by the time they turned one year old. Researchers also found that mothers who had eaten avocado during pregnancy tended to be older at delivery, be less likely to undergo a C-section for birth, were non-smokers, breastfed for a longer duration, had higher diet quality scores and had lower body mass index levels in their first trimester of the pregnancy. 'After adjusting for factors such as maternal and gestational age at delivery, education, diet quality, smoking, alcohol consumption, body mass index in the first trimester, and breastfeeding, food allergy was found to be significantly higher in infants of non-avocado consumers (4.2 percent) versus avocado consumers (2.4 percent),' the Hass Avocado Board said. 'No associations were found for other allergic conditions when all other factors were considered.' More research is needed to understand why they've found this to be the case. However, avocados are considered to be a superfood, and have some benefits that may be surprising. The unseen benefits Avocados are rich in vitamins C, E, K1, B6, copper, lutein and folate, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Folate and lutein are crucial to fetal brain, heart and eye development, the Hass Avocado Board noted. They're also low in sugar and high in 'good' fats, which can help lower the risk of disease. Plus, they have more potassium than bananas do, according to the Mayo Clinic. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends pregnant women eat 2.5 to 3.5 cups of vegetables a day. One avocado counts as a cup. Some people may develop an avocado allergy, when the immune system accidentally identifies proteins in it as harmful. But, the condition is rare. Food allergies threaten millions Food allergies are not rare. Nearly 6 percent of U.S. adults and children have a food allergy. More than 170 foods have been the culprits, Food Allergy Research and Education notes. The leading causes of food allergies in the U.S. are milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame. Food allergies can come with deadly consequences. They're responsible for approximately 30,000 visits to the emergency room and between 150 and 200 deaths each year. The prevalence of food allergies in children has been rising, with roughly two children in every classroom affected by them. The Hass Avocado Board cited this statistic as a reason for the study. '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,' said Hantunen.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Eating THIS fruit during pregnancy can lower the risk of food allergies for the baby
A recent Finnish study reveals a potential link between avocado consumption during pregnancy and reduced food allergy risk in infants. The research, involving over 2,000 mother-child pairs, indicated that babies whose mothers ate avocados had a 44% lower chance of developing food allergies within their first year. About 220 million people struggle with food allergies globally. While some may be allergic to one food, others may react to multiple foods. These allergies can range from mild discomfort to life-threatening reactions, and their prevalence is on the rise. But what if a simple dietary choice during pregnancy could help reduce the risk of food allergies in your child? A new study suggests that adding a certain fruit can help lower food allergies in babies. Eating this fruit can lower food allergy in infants An observational study among 2,272 mother-child pairs in Finland found that eating avocados during pregnancy can lower food allergy risk in babies. This is the first of its kind research that links a specific food in the maternal diet to lower odds of food allergies in a child's first year of life. The study found that infants had 44% lower odds of developing food allergies at 12 months if their mother consumed fresh avocado during pregnancy. They came to this observation after adjusting for other lifestyle, delivery, and maternal health factors that might influence the outcomes. Previous research has explored the relationship between maternal diet and allergic outcomes in infants, however, this is the first published study to link avocados in the maternal diet to a lower risk of food allergies in children. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Blind husband regains his sight, but doesn't tell his wife and he realizes he's been lied to for years. Novelodge Undo Food allergies in kids are a growing public health concern. These allergies affects nearly one in 13 children, or roughly two in every classroom, according to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE). What researchers think 'As a caregiver, the growing prevalence of food allergy feels very scary and out of my control. There is no cure for food allergy, but promising prevention and therapeutic strategies are in development, as well as emerging research such as this. 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,' Sari Hantunen, study author and Senior University Lecturer at the University of Eastern Finland, said in a statement. The study, part of the Kuopio Birth Cohort (KuBiCo), analyzed data collected from 2013 to 2022. Researchers assessed avocado intake through an online food frequency questionnaire provided during the first and third trimesters. Mothers who reported eating any avocado were classified as consumers, while those who reported none were non-consumers. Study Biotech & Health Tech Abroad: Top Courses at Harvard, Stanford Infant allergic outcomes, including rhinitis, paroxysmal wheezing, eczema, and food allergy, were evaluated at 12 months of age. They found that food allergy was higher in infants of non-avocado consumers (4.2%) compared to avocado consumers (2.4%). Avocados are a good source of fiber, folate (essential for fetal neural and heart development), lutein (critical for proper eye development in utero), and naturally good fats (vital for early structural and functional brain development). According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, pregnant women can eat 2 ½ to 3 ½ cups of vegetables a day, and toddlers aged 12-23 months eat 2/3 to 1 cup per day. One avocado counts as a cup. Future-Proof Your Child with AI Skills | Limited Early Bird Seats – 33% OFF! | WhatsApp: 9560500838
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Eating one trendy food during pregnancy may slash risk of food allergies, scientists say
When it comes to avocados, millennials may have actually got it right. Eating the bright green fruit during pregnancy could slash the risk of food allergies in babies, scientists have suggested. Finnish researchers, who tracked more than 2,200 mother and baby pairs, found infants had a 44 per cent lower chance of developing allergies aged one, if their mothers had eaten the avocados while pregnant. Experts today, who labelled the findings 'encouraging', said it adds to a growing body of research exploring the link between maternal diet and allergies in infants. But the scientists, from the University of Eastern Finland, said they couldn't be sure exactly why avocados alone reduced the risk. Dr Sari Hantunen, an expert in public health and clinical nutrition at the University of Eastern Finland and studt co-author, said: 'As a care-giver, the growing prevalence of food allergy feels very scary and out of my control. 'There is no cure for food allergy, but promising prevention and therapeutic strategies are in development as well as emerging research such as this. '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.' The number of Britons allergic to everyday foods such as cow's milk, eggs, nuts and shellfish has more than doubled in ten years, the latest research shows. And it's particularly an issue for young children. While just 0.5 per cent of over-45s are affected, around eight times as many preschoolers—four per cent—now have a serious allergy. These can cause significant stress to parents, and can even be life-threatening. Symptoms range from itchy skin, rashes and hives to vomiting, facial swelling, wheezing and chronic conditions such as asthma or eczema. And for some, the reactions can lead to anaphylaxis—a serious over-reaction of the immune system in response to an allergen which causes the throat and mouth to swell up, restricting the ability to breathe. In the fresh research, scientists assessed avocado intake of expectant mothers using online food questionnaires in the first and third trimesters, between 2013 and 2022. After adjusting for factors including education, diet quality, smoking and alcohol consumption, food allergies were 'significantly higher' in infants of non-avocado consumers (4.2 per cent) compared to avocado consumers (2.4 per cent). The findings published in the journal Pediatric Research, also showed that mothers who consumed avocados generally were older, less likely to undergo a Cesarean section, more likely to be non-smokers and first time parents. Researchers theorised that it is the antioxidants in the avocado's that may help guard against allergies. They also suggested that the fibre in the avocado's promoted a healthy gut microbiome and led to less allergies in the participants. Although positive results were found for food allergies, the study did not find an impact of avocados on allergic rhinitis—hayfever—and eczema. Experts estimate that 10 Brits die from an allergic reaction to food each year, with 5,000 people hospitalised for severe reactions. Children with allergies are considered to be especially at risk from severe reactions as, due to their smaller body size, small amounts of allergens provoke bigger reactions. Allergies are also often discovered in childhood meaning parents may not have an emergency injection to hand if an allergic reaction occurs. Bereaved families of those who have lost children to allergic reactions have repeatedly called for the Government to appoint an allergy tsar to improve NHS services and awareness of allergies, to prevent avoidable ill health and death.
Telegraph
11-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Eating avocados during pregnancy may cut risk of childhood allergies, study shows
Eating avocados during pregnancy may cut the risk of food allergies in babies by two-fifths, a study suggests. The research, involving 2,272 mother-baby pairs in Finland, found that infants had a 44 per cent lower chance of developing food allergies at 12 months old if their mothers had consumed avocados while pregnant. Decades of research have explored the relationship between maternal diet and allergies in infants, but the new study is the first to link avocados in the maternal diet to a lower risk of potentially deadly food allergies, which affect around one in 13 children. Doctor Sari Hantunen, the study author, of the University of Eastern Finland, said: 'As a care-giver, the growing prevalence of food allergy feels very scary and out of my control. 'There is no cure for food allergy, but promising prevention and therapeutic strategies are in development as well as emerging research such as this.' The research team analysed data collected from 2013 to 2022. Avocado intake was assessed using an online food frequency questionnaire during the first and third trimesters. Participants who reported eating any avocado in either trimester were defined as avocado consumers. Infant allergic outcomes, including rhinitis, paroxysmal wheezing and eczema, were evaluated at 12 months old. After adjusting for factors including gestational age at delivery, education, diet quality, smoking, alcohol consumption and breastfeeding, food allergy was found to be 'significantly higher' in infants of non-avocado consumers (4.2 per cent) compared to avocado consumers (2.4 per cent). No associations were found for other allergic conditions when all other factors were considered. The findings, published in the journal Pediatric Research, showed that mothers who ate avocados during pregnancy tended to be older at delivery, less likely to undergo a caesarean delivery, non-smokers, breastfeed for a longer duration, have higher diet quality scores, and have lower BMI levels in the first trimester. Dr Hantunen said findings from the study cannot establish causation or be applied to all audiences, but – while more research was needed to understand the exact mechanism – they 'underscore' the value of avocados. She added: '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.' NHS guidelines recommend that pregnant women eat at least five daily portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables, which can be fresh, frozen, canned, dried or juiced.
Newsweek
08-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
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@ 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.
