According to researchers from the Pennsylvania State College of Medicine (USA), adding fish to children’s diets protects them from neurodevelopmental disorders. results published In the journal Microorganisms.
Neurodevelopmental disorders may include impairments in attention, memory, perception, and problem-solving or social interaction difficulties.
Scientists conducted a study involving 142 children for a month. The researchers collected health information from all children and collected saliva samples from them to assess activity levels in the oral microbiomes of various bacteria associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. These include Candidatus gracilibacteria and Chlorobi. The subjects’ parents were also asked for data on what their children usually eat.
The team re-examined the children when they were six months and one year old. At the age of 18 months, the final phase of the study was carried out, aimed at determining the presence or absence of disorders. It turns out that fish consumption is associated with a decrease in the concentration of Candidatus gracilibacteria and Chlorobi in saliva. Children who ate fish at least once a week had a lower risk of neurodevelopmental disorders than those who never ate fish. This relationship persisted even after controlling for other factors, such as household income and access to health care.
Most likely, the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that fish are rich in have a protective effect.
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