Mediterranean diets provide early protection against asthma and allergies

It’s long been known that a traditional Mediterranean diet, one rich in fruit, vegetables, nuts and fish, is associated with a long and healthy life. Now, new research from Crete, has shown that pregnant women who eat a Mediterranean diet may be protecting their children against asthma and other allergies. The Crete team studied 468 mothers and their children, from pregnancy to when the children were aged six and a half years. The study found that while the children’s own diet impacted their chances of asthma and allergies, so too did their mother’s diet while pregnant. The researchers found that those pregnant mothers consuming vegetables at least 8 times a week, fish 3 times a week and legumes at least once a week had the most beneficial effects. 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.”