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Scientists discover way to make milk chocolate have dark chocolate health benefits

Researchers developed a method to infuse peanut skin extracts into maltodextrin powder, which was then incorporated into milk chocolate. The resulting product had antioxidant properties comparable to dark chocolate without affecting the taste. Consumer testing showed that the fortified chocolates were liked as well as untreated samples.

SourceInstitute of Food Technologists·JournalJournal of Food Science·DateOct 28, 2016

Oral immunotherapy is safe, effective for peanut-allergic preschoolers, study suggests

A clinical trial found that oral immunotherapy is safe and effective for peanut-allergic preschool children, with over 80% successfully introducing peanut into their diets. The treatment involved gradually increasing amounts of peanut protein daily and was comparable in effectiveness between low-dose and high-dose regimens.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateAug 10, 2016

Mice fed more fiber have less severe food allergies

A study published in Cell Reports found that mice fed a high-fiber diet had fewer severe peanut allergies than those with an average fiber intake. The researchers discovered that gut bacteria release specific fatty acids in response to fiber intake, which impact allergic responses via changes to the immune system.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 21, 2016

Peanut allergy prevention strategy is nutritionally safe, NIH-funded study shows

A new NIH-funded study shows that introducing peanut-containing foods during infancy is a safe and effective strategy for preventing peanut allergy. The research, based on the LEAP clinical trial, found no negative effects on infant and child growth and nutrition, including breastfeeding duration and body mass index.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateJun 10, 2016

Bourbon or rye? You can't tell the difference, new study says

A new study from Drexel University found that consumers are more influenced by brand and age when sorting American whiskeys than the type of whiskey itself. The study revealed that participants grouped together products by brand rather than mashbill, with bourbon and rye whiskeys being indistinguishable in terms of flavor.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJournal of Food Science·DateApr 21, 2016

Eating peanut in early years helps reduce risk of allergy even with later abstinence

A study led by King's College London found that early introduction of peanut to infants at high-risk of developing peanut allergy significantly reduces the risk of peanut allergy until 6 years of age. The study, which followed on from the LEAP study, concluded that a 12-month period of peanut avoidance after initial consumption did not...

SourceKing's College London·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 4, 2016

Protection against peanut allergy by early consumption persists after 1 year of avoidance

A clinical trial has found that regular peanut consumption begun in early infancy and continued until age 5 reduced the rate of peanut allergy in at-risk infants by 80% compared to non-peanut-consumers. After a one-year period of peanut avoidance, only 4.8% of original peanut consumers were found to be allergic.

SourceBenaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 4, 2016

NIH-funded study suggests potential to predict peanut allergy immunotherapy outcomes

A new NIH-funded study suggests that changes in immune cell subtypes after oral immunotherapy for peanut allergy can help predict treatment success. The research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found a novel T-cell population that likely would not mount an allergic response expanded with treatment.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2016

Breeding a better peanut butter

The newly developed OLe peanut variety boasts a longer shelf life due to its higher oleic acid content, reducing the risk of rancidity by up to 10 times. This increase in disease resistance also makes it an attractive option for farmers, who can save up to $150/acre on fungicide usage and experience improved yields.

For some kids, Easter egg hunts can lead to skin problems

Children and adults allergic to nickel can develop rashes after contact with it, including nickel-rich foods like peanuts, oats, and processed cheese. Easter egg hunts can exacerbate these reactions, especially in children who binge on chocolate during the holiday

SourceWiley·JournalPediatric Dermatology·DateMar 16, 2015

Early consumption of peanuts prevents peanut allergy in high-risk infants

A new study found that consuming peanut-containing snacks from infancy can prevent peanut allergy in high-risk infants. In contrast, avoiding peanuts led to a higher risk of developing the allergy by age 5. The findings suggest a shift in advice for parents and healthcare providers to promote early consumption of allergenic foods.

SourceBenaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 23, 2015

Exercise ball used in delivery process decreases labor time, reduces number of C-sections

A new study published in the Journal of Perinatal Education found that using an exercise ball during labor with an epidural can significantly reduce the need for C-sections and shorten labor time. Women who used the peanut-shaped ball were half as likely to undergo a cesarean surgery and delivered babies faster than those without.

SourceThe Reis Group·JournalThe Journal of Perinatal Education·DateFeb 11, 2015

Peanut in household dust linked to peanut allergies, especially for children with eczema

A new study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found a strong link between peanut exposure in household dust and the development of peanut allergies, particularly among children with eczema. The research suggests that exposure to peanut proteins through impaired skin barriers may trigger allergic reactions.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateNov 18, 2014

Peanut in house dust linked to peanut allergy in children with skin gene mutation

A study published in Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found a strong link between early-life exposure to peanut protein in household dust and peanut allergy in children genetically predisposed to a skin barrier defect. Exposure to peanut protein was associated with a three-fold increase in risk of school-age peanut allergy.

SourceKing's College London·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateOct 21, 2014

Dry roasting could help trigger peanut allergy

Researchers at Oxford University found that dry roasting peanuts causes chemical modifications that activate the immune system, leading to an allergic response. This discovery may explain the higher prevalence of peanut allergies in Western countries compared to East Asia.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateSep 21, 2014

First peanut genome sequenced

The International Peanut Genome Initiative has successfully sequenced the peanut's genome, providing researchers with access to 96% of all peanut genes. This breakthrough will enable the development of drought- and disease-resistant, lower-input, and higher-yielding peanut varieties.