The power of peanuts might be greater than you think when it comes to protecting your baby from peanut allergies. Recent research suggests that moms who eat a moderate amount of peanuts while breastfeeding might be giving their babies this kind of protection. Let’s explore the power of peanuts and how this simple dietary choice could benefit your baby.
Sharing Peanuts, Sharing Protection
A study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology found that moms who consumed a moderate amount of peanuts—less than 5 grams per week—while breastfeeding were more likely to pass on some protection against peanut allergies to their babies.
Interestingly, moms who ate a lot of peanuts or none at all didn’t seem to offer the same protective benefits. This suggests that moderation might be the key when it comes to the power of peanuts.
Power of Peanuts: The Science Behind Peanut Protection
Researchers at MyOr, including Dr. Michael Brandwein, Co-Founder of MyOr, studied 303 infants from the LEAP trial. All of them were at high risk for peanut allergies due to egg allergies or severe eczema. The babies were grouped based on how many peanuts their moms ate: no peanuts, less than 5 grams per week, and 5 grams or more per week.
The study found a clear connection between a mom’s peanut consumption during pregnancy and feeding with breast milk and her baby’s risk of developing a peanut allergy, highlighting the importance of incorporating principles of nutrition and dietetics into maternal diets.
Moms who ate a moderate amount of peanuts during breastfeeding significantly helped protect their babies from peanut sensitivity when they were 60 months old.
This emphasizes the potential benefits of seeking nutrition counseling services for a personalized meal plan and dietary guidance.
Peanuts, rich in nutrients like peanut protein and healthy fats, also contribute to maternal health by supporting heart health condition and maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. This can indirectly affect considerations such as life insurance coverage, as insurers often assess overall health and dietary habits.
Other Factors to Consider
The study also looked at other factors that could influence peanut sensitivity and allergies, such as ethnicity, skin prick test results, blood pressure and maternal peanut consumption during breastfeeding. Interestingly, factors like birth weight, gestational age, delivery method, and duration of breastfeeding didn’t seem to have a significant impact on the risk of developing a peanut allergy. This highlights the unique power of eating peanuts in this context.
Alternatives for Mothers with a History of Peanut Allergies
Mothers with known peanut allergies should avoid peanuts entirely to prevent any allergic reactions that could affect their health condition or their infant's wellbeing. Nut-free alternatives such as seeds (like sunflower or pumpkin seeds) or nut-free butter provide similar nutritional advantages without the associated risks of allergic reactions.
Conclusion:
The power of peanuts might offer breastfeeding moms a simple way to help protect their babies from peanut allergies. By consuming a moderate amount of peanuts during breastfeeding, moms could be giving their infants a better chance at avoiding peanut sensitization.
While these findings are promising, they are just the beginning. Researchers are continuing to explore how different dietary choices and feeding methods can impact infant allergies. The journey of understanding the relationship between motherhood, peanuts, and allergies continues!
To take proactive steps in preventing food and peanut allergies, fill out our survey and visit MyorThrive.com to learn more or book an appointment with one of our specialist dietitians for personalized support.