Health

Study: Eating Peanuts Daily Can Treat Adult Peanut Allergy

APR 24 2025·Updated APR 25 2025

Story

Above: Published on March 11, 2019. Image credit: Unsplash

The Facts

According to a clinical trial by King's College London and Guys and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, adults with severe peanut allergies can be successfully desensitized through carefully supervised oral immunotherapy.
Guardian
Independent
King's College London
The Grown Up Peanut Immunotherapy trial involved 21 adults aged 18-40. Participants started with minimal doses of 0.8mg peanut flour (less than 0.3% of a peanut) and gradually increased to whole peanuts over several months under strict medical supervision.
Guardian
Daily Mail
The treatment protocol required participants to maintain daily peanut consumption to remain desensitized. Successful participants reportedly continued to consume their prescribed dose as maintenance therapy after the trial.
BBC Science Focus Magazine
Daily Mail
Before the study, participants could eat up to an eighth of a peanut before having an allergic reaction. After two weeks, results showed that two-thirds of participants could consume five peanuts without reacting under the researchers' supervision.
New Scientist
The Times (UK)
Richard Lassiter, a 44-year-old participant who previously experienced life-threatening allergic reactions requiring hospitalization, stated that he safely consumes four peanuts daily as part of his routine, which he described as akin to "taking his medicine."
Independent
Lancashire Telegraph
Prior to this study, peanut desensitization research primarily focused on children, leaving adults with limited treatment options. This is the first clinical trial specifically testing the effectiveness of oral immunotherapy in adults with severe peanut allergies.
Independent
Lancashire Telegraph

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

This is a breakthrough treatment; a significant medical advancement that could transform the lives of thousands of adults living with severe peanut allergies. It offers them a path to greater safety and improved quality of life by reducing the constant fear of accidental exposure.

King's College London

ITV News

Narrative B

While the study showed promising results, its small sample size, and the requirement for extensive medical supervision throughout the treatment process mean broader implementation faces practical challenges. Larger multi-center trials are needed before the treatment can be widely adopted.

Guardian

The Times of India