A recent report suggests that mothers who shield their babies from peanut products may actually be doing more harm than good.
These dramatic findings of a House of Lords committee is based on a series of authoritative studies showing that allergy rates are low or even non-existent, in countries where babies are weaned on peanuts (India and China).
In the last decade, Britain has witnessed an increase in childhood allergies, with up to eight percent of youngsters experiencing a reaction even before they go to school. This is definitely a very worrying trend.
Compared to all other types of food allergies, peanut allergies are the most severe. Hives on the face, wheezing and choking are some of the reactions which can be triggered by exposure to even very tiny amounts of peanut protein (which is used in many food products including chocolate bars and snacks).
Anaphylaxis is one of the most potentially fatal reactions to peanuts. Anaphylaxis is a multi-system allergic reaction; the symptoms include respiratory distress, fainting, vomiting, abdominal pain and itching. If left untreated, Anaphylactic shock can lead to death in a matter of minutes.
Do you know, compared to 99,325 adrenaline injectors in 2003, a whopping 153,820 injections were issued in 2005?
Hopefully, now the official advice from the Department of Health of not eating peanuts by moms-to-be and by children at an early age, will change. After all, peanuts are not only a great source of protein, but they also have potential anti-ageing effects, due to the presence of resveratrol in them.
