Study in China links whole wheat pasta and cream cheese consumption to a higher likelihood of autism

China.- A new scientific study has sparked debate by suggesting that the long-term preference for everyday foods such as whole wheat pasta and cream cheese could be associated with a higher probability of autism, while the consumption of bananas would show an inverse relationship.

The research was conducted by scientists from the Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, in China, and published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, as reported by the Daily Mail. The team analyzed genetic data that offers clues about dietary habits maintained throughout life, with the aim of exploring possible links between diet and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Among nearly 200 foods evaluated, two stood out for their statistical association with autism: whole wheat pasta, which contains gluten, and cream cheese, rich in casein, a milk protein. In contrast, people with a greater genetic predisposition to consume bananas seemed less likely to be autistic.

When summarizing their results, the researchers wrote: «Our study suggests that the consumption of whole-wheat pasta and cream cheese is a risk factor for autism spectrum disorder».

Autism, Immune System, and Diet

Autism is often accompanied by digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhea, or abdominal pain, and previous studies have pointed out differences in the intestinal flora of autistic people. Therefore, diet has become an area of increasing scientific interest, although the evidence on its direct impact on the symptoms of ASD remains contradictory.

In the first part of the study, researchers used large genetic databases to analyze whether the tendency to consume certain foods throughout life was associated with a higher or lower probability of autism. However, they emphasized that these results do not imply causality.

“Autism is present from birth, even if it is not diagnosed until later,” the team emphasized, clarifying that eating or avoiding certain foods does not cause or prevent autism.

The study also explored the role of the immune system. In the case of cream cheese, associations were observed with changes in immune markers related to infection and inflammation, although the effects were described as small and complex.

Gluten-free and Dairy-free Diet: Limited Results

In a second phase, researchers analyzed the medical records of 78 autistic children between two and seven years old. Approximately half followed a gluten-free and dairy-free diet for between six months and a year, while the rest maintained their usual diet.

Although no clear improvements in standard autism symptom scores were detected, a significant reduction in immune antibodies related to milk and wheat was observed in children who followed the restrictive diet. According to the authors, this demonstrates that diet can influence the immune response, and they pointed out: "A gluten-free and casein-free diet can effectively modulate food-specific immune responses". However, they warned that this does not make the diet a treatment for autism. In the article itself, they clarified: "Dietary modifications can help maintain the overall health of people with ASD, but they do not constitute a direct treatment for ASD."

Call for caution

Independent experts cited by the Daily Mail agree that this type of study can help identify patterns, but it does not prove that certain foods cause autism or that eliminating gluten or dairy is an effective therapy. In addition, they warn that restrictive diets can pose nutritional risks, especially in young children, if not properly supervised.

According to the National Autistic Society, more than one in 100 people in the UK are on the autism spectrum, which includes about 700,000 adults and children. Autism is a lifelong developmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and the way people experience the world. It is not an illness, and people are born with autism, even if the symptoms are recognized later.