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Study Finds Kids Less Likely To Have Allergies If Moms Eat Nuts

DENVER (CBS4) – A new study has found that children born to woman who eat nuts while pregnant may be less likely to have nut allergies.

Shanice Young is three months pregnant with her second child and craves nutty foods.

"I'm kind of addicted to Hershey's with almonds," said Young.

The 27-year-old eats some form of nuts just about every day.

A new study finds mothers who eat nuts while pregnant are less likely to have children with peanut or tree nut allergies.

"Women who eat peanuts and tree nuts more than five times a week, their children had 30 percent reduction in allergies," said Dr. Michael Young form Harvard Medical School.

The number of kids with peanut allergies in the United States has more than tripled in the past two decades

Those allergies cause everything from skin reactions, to abdominal issues, to severe respiratory problems, even death.

While nuts are a good source of protein and folic acid to prevent birth defects, doctors want more proof before they recommend pregnant women eat more of them.

"We need more evidence before we can say with certainty that women should eat nuts during pregnancy to prevent nut allergy in their children," said Dr. Anna Nowak-Wegrzyn from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

The study warns that women who themselves are allergic to nuts should continue to avoid them while pregnant.

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