Porridge 'may lower asthma risk'
21 January 2010

Babies fed porridge from an early age are less likely to develop asthma, according to a Finnish study.

These findings clash with Department of Health infant feeding guidelines, which recommend breastfeeding for six months before introducing solid foods.
 
The team of scientists from Finland studied almost 1,300 children whose parents took part in a diet and lifestyle study between 1996 and 2000. They wanted to see if certain foods either raised or reduced the risk of asthma and hay fever.

Each family recorded infant feeding patterns from an early age and the children were then followed up for at least five years.
 
The study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, showed babies fed porridge in their first few months of life were 64% less likely to have chest problems as a toddler than those who did not eat it or started later.

In a report on their findings, the researchers said: ‘Oats are a commonly used cereal in Finland, as porridge and bread.

‘Animal and cell experiments suggest oats may affect the immune system and have anti-inflammatory properties.

‘Our findings imply that delaying the introduction of oats in infancy may increase the risk of asthma by the age of five in some children.’

Dr Elaine Vickers, Research Relations Manager at Asthma UK said: ‘This study was conducted among a very specific group of children who have inherited a high risk of diabetes. We know there is a link between diabetes and allergic conditions such as asthma so more research is needed before we can be sure whether the results would be the same in a more general population.
 
‘Until we have more concrete information, parents should stick to the recommendation of not giving their child solids before six months of age as the infant digestive system, and kidneys, are not usually developed enough to deal with solid food while they are still so young.’