"Eating fish during pregnancy lowers the risk of autism in children by 20%"
Sep 06, 2024
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A joint research team, including Drexel University and Harvard University in the United States, surveyed about 4,000 women on the link between fish intake during pregnancy and autism in their children.
The study, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, found that eating fish during pregnancy can reduce a child's risk of being diagnosed with autism and lower the likelihood of developing autism characteristics later on.
This may be because fish contain natural omega-3 fatty acids and other important nutrients such as iodine, iron, and zinc, the researchers said.
These nutrients are important components of a baby's brain, language, and hearing development.
However, the researchers said they did not find the same association with nutritional supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids.
In the end, it is more effective to eat it as food than nutritional supplements.
In addition, it was found that girls can reduce the risk of autism relatively more.
Dr. Emily Ocken of Harvard Medical School, who participated in the study, said, `A study showing the link between diet and fetal autism during pregnancy' and `We need to increase the consumption of safe, less toxic fish.'", he explained.
Earlier, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also said that eating fish during pregnancy has many health benefits.
It can have the effect of improving heart and bone health, reducing the risk of overweight or obesity in children, and reducing the risk of colon and rectal cancer.
Accordingly, pregnant women are advised to consume 220-340g of fish every week to help the development of the fetus.
However, he warned that seafood intake with high mercury content during pregnancy should be restricted.
Seafoods where high levels of mercury are detected include swordfish, sharks, raw clams, smoked or processed fish.
Long-term exposure to heavy metals such as mercury can seriously damage the fetus's brain and nervous system, leading to learning disabilities and hearing loss.
bellho@sportschosun.com
