Apples and Fish Consumption During Pregnancy Reduce Childhood Asthma and Allergies

More and more scientific data are showing the relationship between maternal nutrition and fetal conditioning, i.e., how a pregnant woman’s diet affect the health of her child later in life.

A new study of 1924 children, published in the early online edition of Thorax, indicate that mothers who eat apples and fish during pregnancy may protect their children from developing asthma and allergies later in life.

According to the research, “The present study suggests beneficial associations between maternal apple intake during pregnancy and wheeze and asthma at age five years.” They add that their findings “suggest an apple specific effect, possibly because of its phytochemical content, such as flavonoids.” The research paper cites other related studies on apples, including those which found that “intake of apples as a significant source of flavonoids and other polyphenols has been beneficially associated with asthma, bronchial hypersensitivity, and lung function in adults.”

So, for the moms-to-be out there, snack on apples and do incorporate fish in your diet. While it’s true that there are fish types you should better stay away from, if you choose the right ones, the benefits outweigh the risks.