Scientists call for changing fish consumption recommendations during pregnancy

September 7, 2022  19:52

A woman's mercury levels during pregnancy are unlikely to have a negative effect on her baby's development, provided the mother consumes fish, according to a new study led by the University of Bristol. The study, which analyzed data from more than 4,130 pregnant mothers, was published in the journal NeuroToxicology.

Importantly, the researchers also found that it didn't seem to matter what kinds of fish were eaten because the basic nutrients in fish could protect against the mercury in them. A more important factor was whether or not the woman ate fish. This is contrary to current recommendations warning pregnant women not to eat certain types of fish that contain relatively high levels of mercury.

A number of studies have been done.

The first study focused on the population of the Seychelles, where almost all pregnant women eat fish. The second study looked at an analysis of data from the University of Bristol's Children in the 90s study, conducted in a relatively industrialized area in the southwest of England, where fish is much less commonly consumed. 

Although it has long been known that children of women who eat fish during pregnancy can gain various benefits in terms of vision and intellectual ability, official recommendations included a warning not to eat certain types of fish that contain relatively high levels of mercury. 

"We found that mercury levels in the mother's system during pregnancy are not likely to adversely affect the child's development provided the mother eats fish. If she does not eat fish, however, there is some evidence that mercury levels may have harmful effects on the baby. This may be due to the benefits of the combination of essential nutrients that fish provides, including long-chain fatty acids, iodine, vitamin D and selenium," the study authors concluded.

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