Mediterranean Diet During Pregnancy Helps To Ward Off Childhood Asthma And Allergy

Leanne Male, Assistant Director of Research, Asthma UK says: 'This study adds to previous research which shows that a Mediterranean diet, which traditionally contains higher levels of fresh fruit and vegetables, can have a beneficial effect on asthma symptoms and specifically in this study that these benefits can be passed onto the pregnant mother's unborn child.

This supports our advice to pregnant mothers to eat a healthy, balanced diet and is of particular significance to mothers in the UK as we have one of the highest rates of childhood asthma worldwide, with one in ten children suffering from the condition.

Notes

1. Asthma UK is the charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 5.2 million people in the UK whose lives are affected by asthma. Asthma UK Scotland is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 390,000 people in Scotland whose lives are affected by asthma.

2. For up-to-date news on asthma, information and publications, visit the Asthma UK website http://www.asthma.org.uk.

3. For independent and confidential advice on asthma, call the Asthma UK Adviceline, which is staffed by asthma nurse specialists. It is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm on 08457 01 02 03. Or email an asthma nurse at http://www.asthma.org.uk/adviceline.

http://www.asthma.org.uk