It was previously believed that pregnant women must stay away from consuming fish because it wasn’t good for the unborn baby.
According to a new study, pregnant women can actually benefit from eating ocean fish and it’s also good for their babies. A team of scientists found that women who consume ocean fish during pregnancy benefit from a special compound called n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Scientists previously believed that pregnant shouldn’t consume fish because of the dangers of mercury exposure. But recent study shows that the benefits of eating fish actually outweigh the risk of ingesting the mercury found in fish. Sean Strain, one of the lead authors of the study, explained that the results of their new study point out that the type of fatty acids a woman consumes during pregnancy could help the baby’s neurological development.
Professor Strain, PhD at Human Nutrition at the Ulster University in Northern Ireland, commented that fish is a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids. This compound is beneficial for the baby’s brain and eyes development. The Omega 3 fatty acids can also protect the brain from the dangers of mercury.
Professor Strain explained in his study that our body cannot produce Omega 3 fatty acids by itself. That’s why pregnant women must consume fish at least 12 times a week. The scientists from Ulster University have undertook a survey in order to find out if fish is beneficial for pregnant women. The study involved observing 1,500 pregnant women from the Republic of Seychelles. These women participants were observed for almost 20 months.
The people from the Republic of Seychelles consume fish on an average of eight times per week. This is higher than any places on earth. At the end of the study, the researchers found that the women who ate more fish while being pregnant gave birth to healthier babies Before the new study showing that fish is beneficial for pregnant women, FDA announced a report saying that fish could be extremely dangerous to women during pregnancy.
The scientists involved in the new study believe that the benefits of fish during pregnancy should be reassessed. Image Source: news.com.au
