Mediterranean Diet and Asthma

We know it’s healthy because we have read that in practically every newspaper and magazine.  But a particular benefit for asthmatics? Yes.

Traditional Mediterranean meals are based on plentiful fruits, vegetables, and beans; an abundance of bread, pasta, rice, couscous, and other grain foods, especially whole grains; nuts; olive oil; fish, poultry and lean red meat; cheese and yogurt. These are the foods traditionally consumed by people living in the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea.

This diet is low in saturated fats and rich in carbohydrates, fiber and antioxidants. The key to good health seems to be the combination of these foods – how the nutrients interact in your body, and the benefits can begin even before birth.

A study in the journal Thorax suggests that a Mediterranean diet could help protect your baby from asthma and allergies.  Researchers followed 468 mother-child pairs, tracking them from pregnancy to when the children reached age 6 and a half. Children whose mothers followed a traditional Mediterranean diet while pregnant were significantly less likely to have asthma and allergy symptoms.

Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics cites a study that suggests that antioxidants and the right fatty acids in the mother’s diet can help protect baby’s lung tissues and reduce the risk of allergic diseases – all while baby’s immune system is developing inside the womb

Another report in the journal Allergy referring to a study done at the University of Porto in Portugal, said, “High adherence to a Mediterranean diet reduced by 78 per cent the risk of uncontrolled asthma.”

While the foods in the Mediterranean diet all provide benefits, it’s the package that’s more important, integrating all the foods into your diet, and not just one or two.

Bottom line: When you take account of as many other things as you can think of, eating a Mediterranean diet in pregnancy seems to help protect children from having a wheezy chest or allergies

If you are considering changing your diet, check with your allergist first.

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