Mothers-to-be should consume seafood twice per week to aid child’s development, research shows

Pregnant women should consume at the very least two portions of seafood per week with no much longer be advised to prevent particular types, a government-backed research implies.

Current warnings to restrict consumption of seafood saturated in mercury cause confusion and lead mums-to-be to shun the meals completely ‘to be in the side that is safe, researchers warn.

This means they are more likely to harm their baby’s development by depriving them of key nutrients, such as long-chain fatty acids, iodine, vitamin D and selenium.

Scientists from the University of Bristol examined data on 4,131 women that are pregnant the united kingdom whoever offspring had been followed throughout youth.

Mercury amounts had been calculated in maternal bloodstream and cord tissue that is umbilical.

Analysis found no link that is adverse greater maternal mercury amounts and intellectual development in children whoever mom consumed seafood, with specialists thinking the nutritional elements within the food force away the metal.

Furthermore, children created to mums whom consumed seafood typically had greater IQs and performed better in maths and technology tests.

The NHS web site says women that are pregnant eat no more than two portions of oily fish and no more than two tuna steaks a week.

It also says to ‘avoid’ swordfish and shellfish that is raw incorporating: ‘Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid some forms of seafood and restrict the amount they consume of others.

‘This could be because of the amount of mercury and toxins that some seafood can include. It can be harmful to your unborn baby.’

Writing in the journal NeuroToxicology, study co-author Dr Caroline Taylor said: ‘We found that the mother’s mercury level during pregnancy is likely to have no adverse effect on the development of the child, provided that the mother eats fish.

08:35 BST, 6 September 2022

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Pregnant women should consume at the very least two portions of seafood per week with no much longer be advised to prevent particular types, a government-backed research implies.

Current warnings to restrict consumption of seafood saturated in mercury cause confusion and lead mums-to-be to shun the meals completely ‘to be in the side that is safe, researchers warn.

This means they are more likely to harm their baby’s development by depriving them of key nutrients, such as long-chain fatty acids, iodine, vitamin D and selenium.

Scientists from the University of Bristol examined data on 4,131 women that are pregnant the united kingdom whoever offspring had been followed throughout youth.

Current warnings to restrict consumption of seafood saturated in mercury cause confusion and lead mums-to-be to shun the meals completely ‘to be in the safe side’, scientists warn

Mercury amounts had been calculated in maternal bloodstream and cord tissue that is umbilical.

Analysis found no link that is adverse greater maternal mercury amounts and intellectual development in children whoever mom consumed seafood, with specialists thinking the nutritional elements within the food force away the metal.

Furthermore, children created to mums whom consumed seafood typically had greater IQs and performed better in maths and technology tests.

The NHS web site says women that are pregnant eat no more than two portions of oily fish and no more than two tuna steaks a week.

It also says to ‘avoid’ swordfish and shellfish that is raw incorporating: ‘Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid some forms of seafood and restrict the amount they consume of others.

‘This could be because of the amount of mercury and toxins that some seafood can include. It can be harmful to your unborn baby.’