Researchers have discovered that choline, a nutrient that’s found in bacon, eggs, meat, and fish, when consumed in higher amounts during pregnancy, can help make your baby smarter!
Surprisingly, bacon also contains choline, but eating too much of it can be unhealthy for pregnant moms.
How can choline make your baby smarter?
It’s very important for pregnant moms to watch what they eat, not just for their own sake, but also to ensure their baby’s health.
That’s why pregnant moms should eat a balanced diet that’s also full of baby-boosting nutrients and vitamins.
And according to researchers from the University of North Carolina, higher choline intake during pregnancy had a significant and positive effect on an unborn baby’s brain. Specifically, the parts that were associated with memory.
The researchers tested 2 groups of pregnant women and gave one group of pregnant moms the recommended daily amount of supplements, while the other group was given twice the recommended daily intake of choline.
Once their babies were born, the researchers tested for any changes in cognitive development, and it was found that the babies whose moms had been given more choline fared better in the tests compared to the babies whose moms were given the recommended daily amount.
This meant that getting more choline in your diet during your pregnancy can have a positive impact on your child’s mental development.
What foods contain choline?
The study found that around 930mg of choline is ideal when it comes to ensuring your child’s brain develops faster. However, 930mg of choline isn’t easy to come by, so choline supplements can be a viable alternative.
For moms who want to go the natural route, here are some kinds of food that are rich in choline:
- Nuts are a good source of choline. They also provide fat, and they’re high in minerals and vitamins.
- Broccoli not only tastes good, but is also a good source of choline as well as fiber and essential vitamins.
- Legumes are another good source of choline, fiber, and protein. All of these play an important role in a baby’s development.
- Meats are also a good source of choline. Fish, beef, pork, and chicken all provide choline.
- Eggs are also another good source of choline. However, it’s important to monitor your intake of eggs, especially during pregnancy.
As always, it’s important for pregnant moms to always consult things first with their doctor, especially if they’re making any dietary changes so that their doctor can properly guide them on what types of food are good to eat during pregnancy.
Source: sciencedaily.com
Photos from: wikimedia commons, goodfreephotos.com
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