A new study by Denmark suggests that the diet of a mother during pregnancy can influence the risk of her child to develop ADHD or autism.
Researchers found that following a western diet – high in fats, sugar and processed foods, while vegetables, fruits and fresh fish – were linked to a higher probability of neurodevelopmental disorders in children.
The study, published in Metabolism of naturehighlights the potential for improving pregnancy diets to reduce these risks.
How the diet affects the development of the child
Previous research has already shown that smoking, alcohol and poor nutrition can affect fetal development.
Now, scientists from the University of Copenhagen and prospective studies of Copenhagen on asthma in childhood (COPSAC) have identified a strong link between a Western diet during pregnancy and an increased risk of ADHD and autism in children.
According to the main researcher, Dr. David Horner, “the more pregnant woman follows a Western diet – a large in fats, sugar and processed foods – the more the risk that his child develops ADHD or autism.”
Even small changes to a Western diet have had a significant impact. The study revealed that:
A moderate movement to a Western diet increased the risk of ADHD by 66%
The same gap increased the risk of autism by 122%
This suggests that even minor improvements in food during pregnancy could reduce the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children.
Large-scale study with more than 60,000 mother-child pairs
The study analyzed more than 60,000 mother-child pairs from Denmark and the United States using data from four major studies. The researchers examined food models, blood samples and medical records to identify the potential links between maternal food and neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood.
One key aspect of the study was the use of metabolomics, a scientific method that analyzes chemical markers in the blood. This allowed researchers to follow the biological changes caused by the diet and to confirm their results with measurable data.
The results were consistent in several studies, strengthening the credibility of the results.
One of the most important discoveries was that the first and second quarters were the most sensitive periods for brain development.
Professor Morten Arendt Rasmussen, the main author of the study, explained: “We found that the risk of ADHD was the highest when the mother followed a Western diet at the start and pregnancy.
Researchers also identified 43 specific blood metabolites linked to a Western diet, including 15 strongly associated with an increased risk of ADHD. Many of these metabolites are linked to inflammation and oxidative stress, which play a key role in brain development.
Are the current directives on the pregnancy diet sufficient?
This study raises important questions as to whether the existing recommendations on the pregnancy diet are effective.
In Denmark, food directives for pregnant women are similar to those of the general population, encouraging a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and fish. However, Dr. Horner suggests that these guidelines may not be widely followed or sufficiently detailed to prevent the risks linked to the child’s development diet.
He adds: “Our study confirms not only a solid link between maternal food and the risk of ADHD, but also identifies specific nutrients and food groups which could form the bases of improving food directives.”
By refining the recommendations of pregnancy nutrition, researchers hope to provide clearer and more targeted advice to reduce the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children.
The main dishes and limitations of the study
A western diet during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of ADHD and autism in children.
The first and second quarters are the most critical periods for the effects linked to the food development diet.
Analysis of the blood metabolite confirmed the link between food and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Small food improvements during pregnancy can reduce the risk of ADHD and autism.
However, it is important to note that this study was observational. Although it shows a strong bond, it does not prove that the diet causes ADHD or autism. Other factors, such as genetics, maternal health and lifestyle choices, also play important roles.
Despite this, these results suggest that better nutrition during pregnancy could improve results for children, open the door to future research and improve food directives for mothers.
For more information on ADHD, please consult recent studies on the role of nutrition in ADHD management: what you need to know and the results showing that food additives and ADHD: what parents should know.
If you care about ADHD, please read studies on 5 signs that you have ADHD, not laziness and new drugs to reduce the reverie, fatigue and slowness of the brain in ADHD.
Research results can be found in Metabolism of nature.
