01/08/2025
Could you do with nutritional support in pregnancy?
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What a mother eats during pregnancy may shape a child’s brain for life, according to a groundbreaking study published in Nature Metabolism. Scientists found that following a Western-style diet rich in fats, sugars, and processed foods can dramatically raise a child’s risk of developing ADHD and autism. Just a modest shift toward these foods increased ADHD risk by 66% and autism by 122%, showing the powerful role nutrition plays before birth.
Researchers tracked more than four large groups of mothers and children across Denmark and the U.S., using blood markers and medical records to reveal the strongest risks occurred in early and mid-pregnancy. They identified 43 blood metabolites linked to unhealthy diets 15 tied especially to ADHD suggesting specific biological pathways connect food choices to brain development. The findings don’t just echo previous advice about healthy eating; they suggest that current guidelines may need urgent revision. Encouragingly, even small steps adding more vegetables, fruits, and fish could make a real difference.
This research is a wake-up call: prenatal nutrition isn’t just about the mother’s well-being it’s about laying the groundwork for a child’s lifelong mental and neurological health. The message is clear: what’s on the plate today can echo through a child’s future.
Source: Nature Metabolism (2025), David Horner et al., maternal nutrition and neurodevelopment research, international pregnancy guidelines
