For years, Ive talked about how healthy nuts are for you. Now theres evidence that they can actually cause health problems. Is it true? Do we now have to take nuts off the menu? Well, lets look at the study.
The study in question found that nuts can increase your risk of getting asthma. In fact, they can raise your risk by 50%. We have known for decades that nuts can cause allergies. And many asthma cases are related directly to allergies.
However, the risk does not apply to everyone. It applies to only one small group of people. And by small, I do not mean numbers.
You guessed it. The threat applies to infants. When women eat nuts during pregnancy, they actually can sensitize the child to asthma. In this study, pregnant women who ate nuts daily saw an increase in wheezing in their children by 42%. Shortness of breath increased by 58% and steroid use to ease the problem increased by 62%.
Pediatricians have been telling moms for years to keep nuts away from young children. Their immune systems are still developing. We know that the allergens in nuts can negatively affect immature digestive and immune systems.
But how can the allergens affect a baby in the womb? The problem is that our body absorbs nut antigens. The mature immune system of children over 3 years of age can handle them.
However, young children from conception through three years of age do not have a mature immune system. In the womb, the exposure of the baby through maternal blood may derange its immune system.
Does that mean scientists will eventually find that nuts are unhealthy for others? Could nuts be a threat to your immune system?
Fortunately, the answer to both questions in most cases is no. The only exceptions would be if you are allergic or sensitive to nuts. In these cases, it does not matter how old you are.
But otherwise, please do not let the warnings you hear discourage you from eating nuts. Fresh, raw organic nuts are healthy as long as you do not eat them in excess (more than 2 tbsp daily). If you have a loved one who is pregnant, encourage them to avoid nuts. Their children will be thankful you did.
Ref: U.S. News and World Report, July 15, 2008; American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, July 15, 2008; 178(2):113-4.