Table of contents:
- Fruits can improve cognitive development in the fetus
- Folic acid in fruit affects fetal brain development
- Good fruit for fetal brain development
The development of the fetus in the womb is of course very dependent on every food that the mother consumes. In order for the fetus to grow properly, it requires a balanced nutritional intake of food. One type of food that is highly recommended by doctors is fruit. According to a study, regular consumption of fruit during pregnancy will help the cognitive development of the brain in the fetus.
Fruits can improve cognitive development in the fetus
Source: Educate Truth
A follow-up study from research by a team from the University of Alberta that was conducted in 2016 suggested that pregnant women who eat more fruit can accelerate cognitive development in the fetus they are carrying.
In previous studies, it was found that consumption of fruit during pregnancy can affect the cognitive abilities of babies up to one year after birth.
Although these findings are good news, unfortunately research has not shown the benefits of fruit consumption for fetal cognitive development specifically when compared to other foods.
Therefore, further research was carried out to ascertain the effect of the fruit on the cognitive state of the fetus.
The research was carried out by conducting trials on a group of pregnant rats. As a result, mice born to mothers who were given fruit juice intake showed better performance on the memory test.
Folic acid in fruit affects fetal brain development
You certainly often hear suggestions for pregnant women to eat foods containing folic acid. Apparently, the benefits of fruit for forming the fetal brain are also inseparable from its folic acid content.
Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin B complex, this substance has a very important role in fetal development.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends pregnant women to take a daily dose of folic acid supplements for at least one full month at the start of pregnancy.
This is done because the first trimester is the most important period that will affect the future development of the fetus.
Some of the benefits include forming red blood cells and preventing birth defects in babies. Not only good for pregnant women, folic acid which can be found in fruit can also protect the body's health from various diseases such as several types of cancer and heart disease.
Likewise with cognitive formation in the fetus. The production of good red blood cells will later help the baby's neural tubes to develop into the brain and spinal cord.
Lack of folate intake can cause problems when the child grows up, such as disorders of the metabolic system, cognitive delays, and behavioral and psychological problems.
This is supported by a study in the Netherlands which showed that children between the ages of six and eight years of a mother who was deficient in folate intake during pregnancy had smaller brain volumes and scored lower on language and visual tests.
Good fruit for fetal brain development
All fruits are actually equally good in maintaining health and helping the development of the fetus in the womb. However, there are some fruits that are better at supporting fetal cognitive development that you should consume, including:
- Orange. Not only is it a good source of vitamin C, citrus fruits also contain folate which will prevent neural tube defects that can lead to brain abnormalities.
- Avocado. Avocado contains colin, a component that is related to folate and vitamin B complex. This component has an important role in the development of the baby's brain and nerves.
- Blueberries. Known for their antioxidant content, if consumed sufficiently, blueberries will protect the fetal brain tissue from damage.
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