Effect of Feeding Peanut Butter to Babies on Reducing Allergies
Feeding peanut butter to babies from infancy to age 5 has been shown to reduce peanut allergies into adolescence by 71%, according to a new study by King’s College London.
Key Points
- Early introduction of peanuts can prevent peanut allergies into adolescence.
- Infants with moderate to severe eczema and/or egg allergy are at the highest risk and should discuss early introduction of peanut foods.
Pros
- Feeding peanut butter early in life reduces the risk of peanut allergy by 71% up to 13 years of age.
- Long-term oral tolerance against peanut allergy can be achieved through early consumption of peanuts.
Cons
- The study was carried out in a high-risk population of babies with severe eczema or egg allergy.