'Today' Blames Rise of Food Allergies on Global Warming

October 25th, 2007 1:02 PM

Is there any strife in the world the "Today" show isn't going to blame on global warming? Last week NBC's Ann Curry cited climate change a cause of increasing tween stress, this week, "Today's" chief medical editor Dr. Nancy Snyderman warned global warming has sparked an increase of food allergies.

The following exchange between Snyderman and co-host Meredith Vieira occurred on a segment about the increase of food allergies in women on the October 25 edition of "Today":

Meredith Vieira: "You touched on it briefly in the piece but why are food allergies on the rise, especially with women?"

Nancy Snyderman: "I think it starts with infancy. We are exposing our babies to foods that are quite complex very, very early instead of just keeping them on breast milk and pretty basic foods for your own, for a couple of months. And we're exposed to so much more. Even global warming may play a role."

Meredith Vieira: "Really?"

Snyderman: "Things are, well new plants are moving into areas they weren't before and this fall, as you know, has been so warm. So ragweeds and grasses are in the air and they interact. The, the allergies you inhale may, in fact, have an impact on the foods you eat. So it becomes very intertwined."