Expectant Moms can 'Go Nuts': Study Shows Peanut Consumption won't Lead to Nut Allergies

A new study suggests that snacking on peanuts or peanut products, contrary to findings from previous studies, will not lead to nut allergies later in life for the child. 

According to researchers from Boston Children's Hospital, they found that, in fact, the child of a mother snacking on nuts is less likely to develop a nut allergy than an expectant mother who isn't. 

"Assuming she isn't allergic to peanuts, there's no reason for a woman to avoid peanuts during pregnancy," Boston Children's physician Michael Young said, via a press release.

For many years, women had been told to avoid eating nuts during pregnancy or nursing as it could increase the risk of peanut allergies. However, as of 2012, Harvard School of Public Health researchers investigated data on nut intake during pregnancy among nearly 62,000 Danish mothers. They found that a higher peanut intake was associated with a lower risk for asthma in children later on. 

The current study examined medical records from more than 8,000 children as well as their mothers dietary records during pregnancy. Findings showed that the rate of peanut allergies was significantly lower among children whose mothers consumed peanuts during pregnancy compared to those mothers who abstained from nut consumption. 

More information regarding the study can be found via JAMA Pediatrics.