Fish during pregnancy linked to better metabolic health

A recent study has found that consuming fish during pregnancy, within recommended limits, is associated with metabolic health in improvements in children.

The research, published in JAMA, looked at 805 mothers and their single offspring from France, Greece, Norway, Spain and the UK between April 1, 2003, and February 26, 2016.

“Maternal fish intake during pregnancy (measured in times per week) was assessed using validated food frequency questionnaires, and maternal mercury concentration (measured in micrograms per liter) was assessed using maternal whole blood and cord blood samples,” the study said. Researchers followed up with mothers and children until the children were 6-12 years old.

The study found that moderate fish consumption during pregnancy was associated with less inflammation as well as improvement in the metabolic profile of children. Exposure to high levels of mercury, however, had the opposite association.

The study concluded that “fish intake during pregnancy, especially moderate fish intake of 1 or more to 3 or less servings per week, was associated with an improved metabolic profile in offspring. Higher mercury exposure during pregnancy was associated with a poorer metabolic profile.

... Our results suggest that, for pregnant women, the benefit of fish intake that is consistent with recommendations from the US Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency exceeds the risk in terms of the metabolic health of children. We believe the potential metabolic harm of mercury exposure is of concern and that efforts to limit mercury contamination are needed.”