LIFESTYLE NEWS - Scientists have found that children who regularly drink fresh farm rather than shop milk are less likely to develop asthma by the time they go to school. Several studies in the past have shown that living on a farm protects children from asthma and allergies.

According to a new, definitive study, a major factor involved in this effect is consumption of unprocessed cow’s milk obtained directly from a farm.

The newly published research by researchers at the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munchen, Germany, has confirmed these studies.

The study followed 1 133 children from birth to the age of six living in rural areas in five European countries. In 934 children, milk consumption was assessed by using yearly questionnaires. Samples of the “usually” consumed milk and serum samples of the children were collected at the age of four.

Researchers found that the risk of asthma at six years of age was reduced by previous consumption of unprocessed farm milk compared with shop milk.

Part of the effect was explained by the higher fat content of farm milk.

Researchers concluded that continuous farm milk consumption in childhood protects against asthma at school age partially by means of higher intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

The study showed, according to a release by the university, that this is partly attributable to the fact that fresh milk contains more omega-3 fatty acids than processed milk.

Nevertheless, the authors of the study refrain from recommending the consumption of untreated milk, since it may contain pathogenic micro-organisms. The new findings appear in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

For their research, scientists followed more than 1 000 children in rural areas whose mothers kept records of their child’s nutrition and illnesses up to the age of six.

The analysis of these health diaries revealed that the proportion of children who had developed asthma by that age was significantly lower in the group who had regularly consumed untreated farm milk.

“The effect can be partly explained by the higher overall fat content and the higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids found in farm milk,” Tabea Brick, a member of the research group, said.