HEALTH NEWS
· Eating avocados during pregnancy associated with lower food allergy risk in baby
Eating avocados during pregnancy associated with lower food allergy risk in baby
University of Eastern Finland, May 7, 2025 (Eurekalert)
An observational study among 2,272 mother-child pairs in Finland found that infants had 44% lower odds of developing food allergies at 12 months if their mother consumed fresh avocado during pregnancy, after adjusting for other lifestyle, delivery, and maternal health factors.
This is the first published study to link avocados in the maternal diet to a lower risk of infant food allergies—a growing public health concern that affects nearly one in 13 children, or roughly two in every classroom.
Researchers analyzed data collected as part of the Kuopio Birth Cohort (KuBiCo). Participants who reported eating any avocado (>0 grams) in either trimester were defined as avocado consumers, and non-consumers were those who did not report consuming any avocado in either trimester.
Infant allergic outcomes, including rhinitis, paroxysmal wheezing, eczema, and food allergy, were evaluated at 12-months of age. After adjusting for factors food allergy was found to be significantly higher in infants of non-avocado consumers (4.2%) versus avocado consumers (2.4%).
Six new studies point to red raspberry's potential anti-inflammatory properties
Various Universities, May 2, 2025 (Medical Xpress)
Initial findings from six animal model studies reveal the potential effects of red raspberry consumption on cardiovascular disease risk reduction, maintaining normal blood glucose levels and liver function as well as potential anti-inflammatory effects related to bone health.
Cardiovascular
University of Michigan observed potential benefits of red raspberry intake on obesity-prone rats.
Metabolic Syndrome
Washington State University noted positive effects of red raspberry consumption on metabolic syndrome in male mice with diet-induced obesity.
Oregon State University studied the effects of red raspberries in mice fed a high-fat, high-sugar Western diet.
Diabetes
Texas A&M University reported positive effects of red raspberry consumption on diabetes-related complications and heart disease in obese diabetic mice.
Liver Function
Oregon State University noted raspberry's capacity for ellagic acid quercetin to bind to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARa).
Inflammation and Bone Health
Texas Woman's University observed anti-inflammatory effect of polyphenols in red raspberries in the production of osteoclasts, the cells associated with the breakdown of bone.
Better physical health probably follows religious and spiritual engagement, rather than vice versa
University of Miami, May 7, 2025 (PLoS One)
Better physical health probably follows religious and spiritual engagement, rather than vice versa, per six year longitudinal U.S. study aiming to tease out this relationship
Religious and spiritual (R/S) engagement is generally associated with better health. However, it is not known which comes first between R/S engagement and health due to a lack of longitudinal studies. We examined this issue in a sample assessed six years apart.
We examined the measurement invariance and reciprocal relationships of R/S engagement and self-rated physical health (SRH) at two