The Juice: Study: Infant Exposure to Animals Linked to Fewer Food Allergies

 

Study: Infant Exposure to Animals Linked to Fewer Food Allergies

Thought Question: What are some of the benefits of owning a pet?

Expecting mothers and fathers hoping to help their baby avoid nut, dairy, and other allergies may wish to install a doggy door or cat bed before a nursery, new research suggests.

The study, published by a Japanese team in the journal PLOS ONE, connected having a canine or feline furry friend about during in utero development or shortly after birth with a 14% reduction in childhood food allergies. Dog ownership coincided with fewer egg, milk, and nut allergies, while keeping a cat around meant a similar drop in egg, wheat, and soybean allergies.
To tabulate the statistics, scientists used data from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study, described in their findings as “a nationwide, prospective birth cohort study that included 97,413 mothers and their children.” 

Over 66,000 families in the data set shared information about their babies’ exposure to animals. Dog and cat ownership seemed to link with the most positive outcomes. Other pets, like turtles and birds, did not show a connection with lower instances of food allergies. And owning a nut-nibbling hamster? Those families’ children had a 93% higher rate of nut allergies than average.

Note:  The above comes directly from their website.  Click here to read more.