The study’s findings emphasised the role of dietary fibre in managing allergic conditions and highlighted its potential as part of a broader strategy to reduce inflammation and improve skin health.
Fibre-rich diets linked to lower allergy risk
The rising prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) has highlighted the need for effective strategies to manage this inflammatory condition, which imposes significant societal and economic burdens.
Dietary habits are increasingly recognised as key factors influencing inflammation and immune function, with dietary fibre emerging as a promising intervention.
Dietary fibre, found in plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, resists digestion and undergoes fermentation in the gut, leading to numerous health benefits, including improved immunity and reduced inflammation.
By modulating gut microbiota composition and function, dietary fibre may help mitigate the inflammatory processes driving AD, offering potential benefits in managing and preventing the condition.
However, while research has shown the potential of fibre in managing allergic conditions, studies in adults remain limited, particularly regarding its effects on AD symptoms like allergic sensitisation and dry skin.
Investigating this relationship can address critical gaps in understanding the role of diet in AD and guide the development of effective dietary interventions.
Fibrous findings
Researchers at the National University of Singapore and Sunway University analysed the dietary habits and allergic outcomes of 13,561 young adults aged 22 on average, using data from the Singapore/Malaysia Cross-sectional Genetics Epidemiology Study (SMCGES).
They recruited participants from universities in Singapore and Malaysia between 2005 and 2022, assessing dietary habits with a validated food frequency questionnaire and calculating fibre intake using data from common food sources like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.
Allergic sensitisation to HDM was measured through skin prick tests, while AD was diagnosed based on personal history and physical symptoms, including itchy rashes on specific areas of the body.
Subsequently, the researchers found that participants with high fibre intake — averaging around 98 grams per week — were significantly less likely to experience HDM allergies and AD.
The odds of developing AD dropped by 17% among high-fibre consumers, while the risk of HDM allergies decreased by 10%.
The researchers had controlled for various factors that could influence allergic outcomes, such as age, sex, body mass index (BMI), genetic predisposition, and physical activity.
Their findings showed that even when accounting for these variables, dietary fibre was independently associated with reduced risks of AD and HDM allergies.
The complementary effects of probiotics and fibre
The study also explored the relationship between fibre and probiotic intake. Probiotic drinks, such as yoghurt-based beverages, were positively correlated with fibre consumption.
At the same time, participants who frequently consumed probiotics and maintained a moderate fibre intake had a 28% lower risk of developing AD compared to those with low fibre intake.
While probiotics alone were not strongly linked to reduced AD risk, the combination of fibre and probiotics appeared to provide additional benefits.
Challenges and broader dietary implications
Interestingly, fibre intake was not associated with dry skin, another common AD symptom. This suggested that while fibre could help reduce inflammation and allergic responses, it might not directly impact skin hydration.
The study also highlighted potential challenges with adopting high-fibre diets.
Many fibre-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables and legumes, are common allergens themselves.
Individuals with existing allergies may need to carefully balance their diet to avoid triggering reactions.
Additionally, high fibre intake can sometimes cause digestive discomfort, such as bloating or gas, which may discourage consistent adherence to such diets.
As such, the researchers recommended integrating fibre intake into a balanced diet that also moderated fat and protein consumption.
Limitations and future research directions
While the study provided valuable insights, it acknowledged several limitations.
The researchers primarily focused on young Chinese adults, limiting the generalisability of their findings to other ethnic groups.
Additionally, they did not collect detailed data on childhood allergic conditions, making it difficult to determine whether the observed benefits of fibre were due to early dietary habits or recent changes.
Future research could address these gaps by including a more ethnically diverse population and studying the long-term effects of fibre intake from childhood into adulthood.
Researchers should also aim to refine their dietary assessment tools to distinguish between soluble and insoluble fibres, which may have different impacts on health.
The study highlighted the importance of dietary habits in managing allergic conditions like AD and HDM allergies.
High-fibre diets, particularly when paired with probiotics, offered a promising strategy for reducing inflammation and improving skin health.
As allergic diseases continue to rise globally, these findings could provide actionable insights for individuals, businesses, and healthcare providers to develop effective interventions.
Source: European Journal of Nutrition
“Frequent intake of high fiber and probiotic diets lowers risks associated with atopic dermatitis and house dust mite allergy: a cross-sequential study of young Chinese adults from Singapore and Malaysia”
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-024-03524-6
Authors: Lim Jun Jie, et al.
