One study found significant benefits of eating healthily during pregnancy. Not only is a nutrient-dense prenatal diet good for the health of expectant mothers and their unborn children, researchers have found that it can also significantly reduce the risk of autism in children.
Autism or autism spectrum disorder (autism spectrum disorder), is a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties with social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. While the exact cause is unknown, early research suggests that a variety of factors, including diet, genetics and environmental influences, may contribute to the development of autism even before a child is born.
Researchers latest study Researchers analyzed two large databases of more than 96,000 mother-infant pairs and found interesting links between prenatal diet and autism risk. They found a “healthy“A diet during pregnancy – one rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, fish and whole grains, while avoiding high-fat foods, processed meats, soft drinks and refined carbohydrates – can reduce the risk of autism by 22%. Study results Published in Jama Network magazine.
The study also found that children born to mothers who adhered to a healthy diet during pregnancy, regardless of whether they had autism, were 24% less likely to have social and communication problems at ages 3 and 8. Interestingly, the researchers observed that this protective effect was more pronounced in mother-daughter pairs compared to mother-son pairs.
The researchers concluded that “adherence to healthy prenatal dietary patterns was associated with lower odds of autism diagnosis and difficulties with social communication, but not restrictive and repetitive behaviors.”
However, the researchers cautioned that the observed association may not be causal. At this time, we remain unsure whether the observed associations are causal. “Further research should confirm our findings, especially given the inconsistencies in the prior literature and our measures of autism-related traits,” the researchers wrote.
The study did not delve into the specific mechanisms by which prenatal diet affects autism risk. However, researchers speculate that this effect may be related to how certain foods affect DNA or the immune system. Another possibility is that a nutritious diet provides protection by providing essential nutrients critical for optimal fetal brain development.