Mediterranean diet could protect unborn
15 Jan 08
Source: The Telegraph
Women who eat a Mediterranean diet while pregnant could protect their children against asthma and allergies, experts say.
Researchers have found that children born to mothers who followed a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, nuts and fish, were 78 per cent less likely to have asthma by the time they reached six years old compared with women who did not eat healthily.
The research, conducted on the Spanish island of Menorca, suggested that consuming a Mediterranean diet during pregnancy could help children by exposing them to a high level of antioxidants. These could help prevent damage to the lung tissue of developing babies.
The research adds to the weight of evidence that eating a diet rich in olive oil, fruit, vegetables and fish helps to keep people healthy.
