Introducing smooth peanut butter to babies and continuing through early childhood can provide lifelong protection against peanut allergies, according to researchers from King’s College London.
A study found that teenagers who consumed peanut butter up to age five were 71% less likely to develop a peanut allergy compared to those who avoided it. The researchers recommend starting peanut butter during weaning and continuing regular consumption in significant amounts until the age of five.
The study highlights a shift from previous advice that warned against peanuts for young children due to allergy fears. Currently, peanut allergies affect one in 50 children and have led to peanuts being banned in many schools.
The King’s College research suggests early exposure is critical for the immune system to learn to differentiate between harmful and harmless substances. The study involved 640 high-risk children, half of whom included peanuts in their diet from four months to five years old. The results, published in NEJM Evidence, indicate that early peanut consumption significantly reduces allergy risk into adolescence.
Key findings include:
- 15% of high-risk children who avoided peanuts developed an allergy.
- 4% of high-risk children who consumed peanuts developed an allergy.
- A 71% reduction in allergy risk was observed.
- Continuing to eat peanuts after age five did not affect the long-term protection.
Professor Gideon Lack of King’s College London expressed optimism about the enduring protection, suggesting it will likely last a lifetime. The research team advises parents to introduce peanut butter as a soft paste or peanut puffs once babies are ready for solids, and to continue regular consumption.
The study underscores the importance of early dietary exposure to prevent food allergies. The UK’s NHS and WHO offer slightly different guidelines, but both acknowledge the benefits of early peanut introduction. The research estimates that 100,000 cases of peanut allergy could be prevented globally each year.
The study was funded by the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, whose director, Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, supports the findings, encouraging parents to confidently introduce peanut products to their infants for lasting allergy protection.
