Pregnant women who enjoy eating fish now have even more reasons to consume the omega-3-rich food. Omega-3 fatty acids are great for your skin, your mood, and they boost your immune system. Children of mothers who consume fish during pregnancy are less likely to become obese or be born prematurely. New research suggests that these children also tend to be smarter, more sociable and less likely to develop eczema.
Spanish researchers collected blood samples from 2000 pregnant women at 20 weeks and from their umbilical cords just after birth. The blood samples were tested for levels of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), a type of Omega-3 and the main component of brain cell membranes. The levels of DHA found in the mother’s blood were correlated with those found in the infant’s, suggesting that the brain-building fatty acid crosses the placenta and assists in fetal development. Babies were later tested on their fine motor skills, verbal intelligence and sociability – those whose mothers consumed the most fish had better test outcomes. The same research team previously found that eight-year-old children scored higher on IQ tests if their mothers consumed fish during pregnancy.
Another recent study found that women who consumed fish oil during pregnancy were less likely to have babies that developed eczema and egg allergies. Over 700 pregnant women took part in an Australian study, where it was discovered that women taking fish oil supplements had babies 50% less likely to develop egg allergies and 36% less likely to develop eczema.
The studies merely add more weight to the importance of omega-3 fatty acids in fetal development. Pregnant women who don’t like fish can take fish oil supplements. Mercury levels are of some concern when choosing fish to eat during pregnancy – shark, swordfish and large species of tuna should be avoided.
Do you eat fish regularly or take fish oil supplements?
Mothers Who Eat Fish While Pregnant Produce Offspring With Better Cognitive Development [Medical News Today]
Mercury in Fish: Cause for Concern? [PregnancyWeekly]
Women who eat fish during pregnancy ‘more likely to have brainy and sociable children’ [DailyMail]
Fish oil in pregnancy reduces infant eczema [NewScientist]
February 3rd, 2012 
