Pregnancy Diet
What and how much you eat during pregnancy produces an enormous influence on the mental development of the fetus. Nourishment before the birth and shortly after it lays down the basic program for long-term health, wellbeing, proper development of the brain and mental abilities, processes depending on the intake of certain foods.
Researchers for the NUTRIMENTHE project conducted a 5-year-long study involving hundreds of European families with little children. They aimed to observe the effects of vitamins of the B group, folic acid, breast milk as compared to milk formulas, iron, iodine, and omega-3 fat acids on the cognitive, emotional and behavioral development of babies before the birth and at the ages up to 9 years old.
The research revealed that folic acid (which is recommended to women during the first three months of pregnancy in some European countries) diminishes the risk of behavioral problems in early childhood. Fat fish is also beneficial not only due to omega-3 fat acids, which provide the body with building blocks for brain cells, but also to iodine which enhances the reading ability in children. Also, breastfeeding offers better nourishment for the baby’s health that feeding him on dry milk formulas.
Consequently scientists urge pregnant women to be responsible and guarantee a diet furnishing enough nutrients and energy for their future babies so that they could develop and grow properly.
Pregnancy Diet
based on materials MedicalNewsToday
