The Effect of Dietary Components of the Mediterranean Diet on Food Allergies: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Allergies are a common and increasing health problem affecting millions of people worldwide. This increase is attributed to genetic predisposition, air pollution, climate change, lack of physical activity, and alterations in eating habits. The Mediterranean diet (MD), which includes a lot of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, olive oil, and fish, has been linked to a variety of health benefits, including a lower risk of chronic and allergic disease. This paper explores the effects of the dietary components of the MD on food allergies. Electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and EBSCO were used to conduct this systematic review. Out of 696 studies initially identified, five human and four animal studies were included. Risk of bias was determined using the Office of Health Assessment and Translation tool. In human studies, when the intervention was given during pregnancy and lactation, a beneficial effect was observed. When the intervention was given during pregnancy and until birth or to the infant for six months, no effect was observed. The animal studies indicated a beneficial effect between the food components of the MD and food allergies. Although the results are promising, the limited number of studies highlights the need for more research.

Food Allergy Risk: A Comprehensive Review of Maternal Interventions for Food Allergy Prevention

“…A recent systematic review revealed a favorable influence of the MD on the emergence of FAs [60]. This correlation is expected due to the well-established health-promoting and anti-inflammatory characteristics of the MD, which is enriched with essential nutrients such as polyphenols, n-3 long-chain PUFAs, and other fat-soluble nutrients [60].…”

“…In a prospective study, Tanaka et al [59] firstly established a positive correlation between maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy and the risk of FAs in children, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In recent years, the healthier Mediterranean diet (MD), characterized by an abundance of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, olive oil, and fish, has assumed an important role in FA prevention [60]. A recent systematic review revealed a favorable influence of the MD on the emergence of FAs [60].…”

“…In recent years, the healthier Mediterranean diet (MD), characterized by an abundance of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, olive oil, and fish, has assumed an important role in FA prevention [60]. A recent systematic review revealed a favorable influence of the MD on the emergence of FAs [60]. This correlation is expected due to the well-established health-promoting and anti-inflammatory characteristics of the MD, which is enriched with essential nutrients such as polyphenols, n-3 long-chain PUFAs, and other fat-soluble nutrients [60].…”

“…This caution is due to uncertain evidence [61,62]. Pregnant women are encouraged to follow a healthy Mediterranean diet, which is crucial for the appropriate development of the fetus, and to supplement any deficiencies regardless of FA prevention [60,61] (Table 1).…”

Dietary Polyphenols—Natural Bioactive Compounds with Potential for Preventing and Treating Some Allergic Conditions

“…Dietary patterns and habits seem to be a plausible environmental explanation since they have undergone significant changes in the last decades [13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Moreover, according to the "diet hypothesis", nutrients and food components may play a fundamental role in the development of allergic diseases by influencing the immune system and allergic inflammation pathways either directly or through the influence on gut microbiota, and thus may promote or protect against allergic diseases [20][21][22][23][24][25]. Considering that diet is one of the most modifiable and readily accessible interventions, the identification of nutrients, food components, or dietary patterns that could be implemented as a preventive or therapeutic strategy for allergic disease seems to be essential.…”