Recent research has unveiled compelling evidence that infants with a diverse diet experience a significantly lower risk of developing food allergies by the age of 18 months. Specifically, the study found that infants who had the most diverse diets had a remarkable 61 percent lower risk of food allergies compared to those with the least varied diets. This finding highlights the critical role that diet diversity plays in promoting healthy immune development in infants.
The study emphasizes that a diverse diet is particularly beneficial for infants who do not have a family history of food allergies or a history of eczema. Interestingly, the research indicated that introducing a diverse diet at six months of age did not yield the same benefits in reducing food allergy risk. This suggests that the timing and composition of an infant's diet could be crucial factors in allergy prevention.
To gather data, parents completed food consumption questionnaires when their children reached approximately nine months of age. The researchers assessed diet diversity by examining the frequency with which infants consumed 14 different foods at both six and nine months. They also tracked the consumption of six allergenic foods, including wheat, egg, fish, dairy, nuts and peanuts, and soy.
By the time the children reached 18 months, 100 participants in the study had been diagnosed with a food allergy. The most prevalent allergies identified were cow’s milk allergy, affecting 69 children, and egg allergy, affecting 35. Notably, 30 of these children suffered from multiple food allergies, illustrating the complexity and prevalence of food allergies in early childhood.
The researchers noted that while food allergies are often inherited, the infant diet can significantly influence the development of the adaptive immune system and the risk of allergic diseases. They stated, “Repeated exposure to foods in infancy is important both for tolerance development and maintenance.” This suggests that introducing a variety of foods early on could foster long-term immune health.
According to the authors, frequent consumption of plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, and legumes—rich in fiber and vitamins—plays a vital role in reducing the risk of food allergies. This aligns with existing dietary guidelines that advocate for a varied and balanced diet during infancy.
This article is part of The Post’s “Big Number” series, which takes a closer look at the statistical aspects of health issues. For more information and relevant research, please follow the hyperlinks provided throughout this article.
