Mom’s sweet tooth may be linked to child’s allergies

Expecting mothers consuming too much sugar may put infant at health risks


Entertainment Desk July 07, 2017
PHOTO: FILE

Women who consume too many sugary foods and drinks during pregnancy may be increasing their children's risk of developing an allergy or allergic asthma, according to a study published Thursday in the European Respiratory Journal.

The researchers looked at allergies that produce respiratory and skin symptoms, including dust mites, cats and grass. "Allergic asthma" causes breathing problems, like wheezing and coughing, in the presence of common allergens such as dust, reported CNN.

Amal and George Clooney welcome boy and girl twins

"The dramatic 'epidemic' of asthma and allergies in the West in the last 50 years is still largely unexplained – one potential culprit is a change in diet," said Annabelle Bedard, lead author and a postdoctoral fellow at Queen Mary's Centre for Primary Care and Public Health Blizard Institute. "Intake of free sugar and high fructose corn syrup has increased substantially over this period."

"Free sugars" include those that are naturally present in honey, syrups and unsweetened fruit juices – though not those in whole vegetables and fruits – and those that are added to food and beverages by the manufacturer, the cook or the consumer. "We know that the prenatal period may be crucial for determining risk of asthma and allergies in childhood and recent trials have confirmed that maternal diet in pregnancy is important," Bedard wrote in an email.

Men also affected by biological clock, researchers find

The researchers compared the children of moms who ate the least sugar during pregnancy – less than 34 grams, or seven teaspoons, per day, with the children of moms who ate the most – between 82 and 345 grams, or 16 and 69 teaspoons, per day.

The children of women with highest sugar intake during pregnancy had a 38% higher risk of allergy diagnosis, the researchers calculated. Kids of the moms in this group had a 73% increased risk of being diagnosed with an allergy to two or more allergens. And the allergic asthma risk increased by 101% for children of moms in the high-sugar consumption group, meaning the risk of developing allergic asthma was double that of kids born to women in the low-sugar group.

Have something to add in the story? Share it in the comments below. 

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ