Again and again one hears disturbing news about mercury pollution in fish. However, a study that looked at more than 4,000 pregnant women in the UK and Seychelles found no evidence that eating too much fish during pregnancy was a problem. On the contrary: nutrients in fish could even protect against exposure to mercury.
The study, which was published in the specialist journal “NeuroToxicology”, found no evidence that high consumption of fish during pregnancy would have any adverse consequences for mother or child. It didn’t matter what kind of fish was eaten.
What was more important was whether the women generally ate fish or not: “We found no adverse effects on child development from maternal mercury levels during pregnancy, provided the mother ate fish. In pregnant women who did not eat fish, there was evidence that their mercury levels could have a harmful effect on the child. This could be due to the benefits of the nutrients in fish, including certain fatty acids, iodine, vitamin D and selenium,” said Dr. Caroline Taylor from Bristol University.
The researchers advise pregnant women to eat at least two servings of (fatty) fish per week and to ignore warnings about mercury. There is some evidence that the vision and intellectual abilities of children benefit from eating fish during pregnancy.
Which: DOI 10.1016/j.neuro.2022.04.012