Mothers ‘can protect babies from allergies’

A diet containing fatty acids such as those found in fish, walnuts and flaxseed influences development of the baby’s gut, scientists believe. This, in turn, is thought to affect gut immune cells, making an infant less allergy-prone.

Study leader Dr Gaelle Boudry, from the INRA research institute in Rennes, France, said: “There is intense research interest in maternal diet during pregnancy.

“In the western diet, the group of polyunsaturated fatty acids that we have shown to help gut function are actually disappearing.

“Our dietary intake of fish and nut oils is being replaced by corn oils which contain a different kind of fatty acid.

“Our study identifies that a certain group of polyunsaturated fatty acids – known as n-3 PUFAs – causes a change in how a baby’s gut develops, which in turn might change how the gut immune system develops.

“These changes are likely to reduce the risk of developing allergies in later life.”