News and Views
Abstract
NEWS
Maternal Consumption of Nut Boosts Foetal Neurodevelopment
Maternal intake of nut at higher levels in early pregnancy is associated with enhanced neuropsychological development in offsprings at 1.5, 5 and 8 years old. A diet deficient in nuts and seeds accounts to leading dietary risk for Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs).[1] Depression and mild cognitive disorders are negatively correlated with dietary pattern with nuts as a primary component. The essential fatty acids or nutritional components like folic acid compose the healthful nut. During human gestation, the brain undergoes a number of puzzling process for which maternal nutrition appears to be the prime factor that contributes to an adequate foetal neurodevelopment with long-term effects.[2] The nut consumption in the Spanish population includes mostly almonds and walnuts (prime source of ALA- Alpha Lipoic Acid).[3] ALA- a widely distributed protein in the brain necessitates crucial number of functions such as neuronal maintenance and neurogenesis. In addition, the learning and memory, brain plasticity and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is elicited on ALA supplementation.[4] Thus, the reality of insufficient beneficial nutrients in pregnant woman will additionally have long-term functional consequences during child development.