Research published in the journal Frontiers in Pediatrics suggests that introducing a variety of foods to infants during their first year may help prevent allergies by strengthening their gut microbiota and immune tolerance. This challenges outdated advice on allergen avoidance.
A recent review article examined how allergy outcomes, particularly in early life, are associated with dietary diversity. The current evidence indicates that exposure to a diverse range of foods during the first twelve months of a child’s life could lower the risk of developing food allergies, provide critical nutrients, and strengthen the gut microbiome.
Studies have found that introducing peanut, egg, wheat, and dairy within the first year can significantly reduce allergy risk. In contrast, delayed introduction of these allergens may increase the risk of food allergies. The role of diet diversity in shaping immune responses remains uncertain, but research suggests that a more varied diet increases fiber and nutrient intake, which in turn promotes microbial diversity.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) revised its guidelines in 2008 to note that insufficient evidence supported delaying the introduction of allergenic foods. However, guidelines vary by country, with organizations such as the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPHAN), and the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) offering slightly different recommendations on timing.
In conclusion, while no strong evidence supports delaying the introduction of other allergens, introducing a variety of foods during infancy may help prevent food allergies. A more varied diet can increase nutrient intake, promote microbial diversity, and shape immune responses, although more research is needed to fully understand this relationship.
Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250304/Feeding-infants-diverse-foods-early-may-cut-allergy-risk-study-reveals.aspx