Archive · 23 Jul 2025
Maternal Diet of Nuts, Seafood Linked to Child Brain Development
Eating healthy foods like nuts and seafood during pregnancy may help babies' brains develop better.
Studies found that kids whose mothers ate more of these foods did better on tests of attention and memory.
They were also less likely to make risky choices as they got older.
The benefits are linked to omega-3 fatty acids found in foods like walnuts and fish.
Walnuts are a good source of these healthy fats.
So, eating a balanced diet during pregnancy can have a positive impact on a child's brain.
Studies show maternal nut and seafood consumption during pregnancy is linked to improved child neuropsychological function.
Children of mothers with higher nut and seafood intake scored higher on attention, working memory, and executive function.
These children also exhibited fewer risky decision-making behaviors.
Omega-3 fatty acids, abundant in walnuts and fish, are key nutrients associated with these benefits.
California walnuts are an excellent source of the plant-based omega-3 fatty acid ALA.
- Who
- Researchers studied mother-child pairs to assess the impact of maternal diet on child development.
- What
- Studies show that maternal consumption of nuts and seafood during pregnancy may improve child brain development and decision-making skills.
- When
- Studies were published in 2025.
- Where
- The study evaluated mother-child pairs from four Spanish regions.
- Why
- To understand the effects of a mother's diet during pregnancy on her child's brain development.
- Study Focus
- Maternal diet and child neuropsychological function
- Age Range Studied
- 4 to 15 years
- Key Nutrients
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Source of ALA
- Walnuts
- California Walnut Commission Established
- 1987
- Walnuts in US from California
- 99%