October 24, 2024, 4:10 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Can eating fish during pregnancy protect your baby from developing autism? A recent study from the USA provides evidence that one to two portions per week could reduce the risk by up to 20 percent. Incidentally, the effect was not detectable with omega-3 capsules.
Nutrition during pregnancy has a major impact on the unborn child. Particularly with regard to brain development, experts recommend that expectant mothers eat fish regularly – or, alternatively, take omega-3 capsules. Numerous studies have already shown that the healthy fatty acids found in fish, among other things, support the baby’s neurological development. A recent study by Harvard researchers and scientists from Drexel University in Philadelphia therefore wanted to find out to what extent fish or omega-3 during pregnancy can reduce the child’s risk of autism – with remarkable results.
Overview
Data from over 4000 pregnant women and their children examined
The scientists analyzed the data of around 4,000 women and investigated the links between fish consumption, the intake of dietary supplements, and autism. The women’s children were born between 1999 and 2019 and were diagnosed with possible autism during the follow-up examinations. At the same time, the researchers asked the women how often they ate fish during pregnancy or whether they had taken fish oil capsules. Around 20 percent stated that they did not eat fish at all, and only a few took omega-3 or fish oil supplements. The study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.1
So, little fish during pregnancy appears to reduce the risk of autism
According to the analysis, babies of expectant mothers who consumed one to two servings of fish per week had a 20 percent reduced risk of developing autism, regardless of the type of fish. This effect was particularly pronounced for girls. Moreover, even smaller quantities of fish consumption appeared to be sufficient to affect children’s brain development positively: “Our study provides further evidence that diet during pregnancy can influence the risk of autism in children,” emphasizes study leader Emily Oken.2 The Harvard researcher identifies a clear correlation between low fish consumption in the USA and the increasing incidence of autism diagnoses.
Study shows: Omega-3 capsules are not enough
Notably, the mere intake of fish oil capsules or omega-3 supplements showed no measurable protective effect against autism. The researchers suspect that it is not the fatty acid alone but the entire nutrient profile of the fish that could be responsible for the protective effect.
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Eating fish also protects against premature births
The researchers conclude that fish consumption does more than just appear to lower the risk of autism in unborn babies. Regular consumption generally promotes cognitive development, including motor skills and language acquisition. The researchers also observed this effect: regular fish consumption can significantly reduce the risk of premature birth.