Maternal fish, nuts consumption a boon to brain function in children

Higher maternal consumption of nuts and large fatty fish during pregnancy appears to improve some aspects of neuropsychological function in children and adolescents, according to a study.

“Specifically, higher nut consumption was associated with better working memory development and possibly attention, whereas greater intake of large fatty fish was associated with enhanced attention and fluid intelligence,” the researchers said.

This study followed 1,737 mother–child pairs from pregnancy to age 15 years. A semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess maternal diet, while standardized computed-based tests were applied to measure children’s neuropsychological function.

The researchers measured attention (hit reaction time [HRT] and its variability [HRT-SE]) with the Conners’ Kiddie Continuous Performance Test and the Attention Network Test. They also evaluated working memory (detectability in 2-back [d2’] and 3-back tasks [d3’]) using the N-back task and fluid intelligence via the Raven’s Progressive Matrices and the Test of Primary Mental Abilities.

Finally, the association of nuts, seafood, and large fatty fish with neuropsychological outcomes was assessed using linear mixed-effects regression models, while mediation analyses were carried out using generalized structural equation modelling.

Pregnant women with increased consumption of nuts were more likely to have offspring with improved attention (HRT-SE β, –0.05, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], –0.09 to –0.00) and working memory (d2’ β, 0.05, 95 percent CI, 0.00–0.09; d3’ β, 0.06, 95 percent CI, 0.02–0.11). [Am J Clin Nutr 2025;122:274-284]

Similarly, higher maternal consumption of large fatty fish resulted in better attention (HRT-SE β, –0.06, 95 percent CI, –0.10 to –0.02; HRT β, –0.04, 95 percent CI, –0.08 to –0.00) and fluid intelligence (β, 0.08, 95 percent CI, 0.02–0.13). Notably, omega-3 fatty acids partially mediated (8 percent to 14 percent) these effects on attention.

"These results underscore the importance of maternal diet, particularly the consumption of nuts and large fatty fish, in supporting long-term optimal cognitive development in offspring,” the researchers said.

Previous literature

Prior to this study, only one longitudinal study had explored the relationship between nut consumption during pregnancy and neuropsychological function in the offspring. This study showed a positive association between nut consumption during pregnancy and child attention at 8 years of age. [Eur J Epidemiol 2019;34:661-673]

The current finding, on the other hand, showed a potential association up to age 11 years, but this should be interpreted with caution due to the risk of being a false discovery, the researchers said.

For fish consumption, previous studies found a significant association between maternal fish intake and child neuropsychological development at 5 and 8 years of age. [Am J Epidemiol 2016;183:169-182; Int J Epidemiol 2020;49:559-571]

In the present study, fish consumption correlated with attention ≤11 years and fluid intelligence ≤15 years, indicating a continuity of the association throughout adolescence.

"However, we only found associations for large fatty fish, whereas the previous study reported associations for total seafood intake, lean fish, and small fatty fish,” the researchers said. “This may be due to large fatty fish containing greater amounts of omega-3 DHA and EPA, which could result in a longer-lasting effect.” [Environ Res 2004;95:414-428]

“Understanding the role of maternal diet in early brain development is critical, as pregnancy represents a period of significant vulnerability and growth for the developing brain,” the researchers noted.