Having pets early in life may lower food allergy risk in infants
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Exposure to pet cats and dogs during infancy may help reduce the risk of developing food allergies according to a recent study. Researchers believe that early contact with pets may strengthen the developing immune system by increasing exposure to diverse microbes and environmental allergens. The findings add to growing evidence that early-life environmental exposures can play an important role in shaping immune health and allergy risk.
Source
Okabe H, Hashimoto K, Yamada M, Ono T, Yaginuma K, Kume Y, et al. (2023) Associations between fetal or infancy pet exposure and food allergies: The Japan Environment and Children’s Study. PLoS ONE 18(3): e0282725. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282725
Additional Reading
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/29/health/pets-food-allergy-risk-wellness
https://www.healthday.com/health-news/child-health/food-allergies-2659636430.html