In mid-childhood, higher fiber intake may be inversely linked with allergic rhinitis and sensitization to specific allergens up to adulthood, according to a study published in Clinical and Translational Allergy. Emmanouela Sdona and colleagues investigated the correlation between childhood fiber intake and asthma, allergic rhinitis, and IgE sensitization up to adulthood. They estimated the fiber intake of 2,285 participants who completed 98- and 107 item food frequency questionnaires at ages 8 and 16, respectively. Asthma and allergic rhinitis symptoms were evaluated by questionnaires at ages 8, 16, and 24, as was sensitization to common allergens by serum IgE. An inverse overall link was observed between fiber intake at age 8 and allergic rhinitis symptoms up to age 24, especially in combination with airborne and food allergen sensitization. Higher fiber intake was also correlated with specific allergen sensitization. No link was found with asthma. As for sources, fruit and other (nuts, legumes, potatoes, and chips/popcorn), but not cereal or vegetable, fiber were linked with allergic rhinitis.
