Veggies & Folic Acid for Healthier Babies

Two new studies help drive home the point that high quality nutrition during pregnancy can have a profound effect on the future health of one’s child.

The risk of a child developing autoimmune type I diabetes¹ by age 5 goes up 70% if mom didn’t eat a serving of vegetables every day while pregnant.  Veggies would help reduce inflammation during pregnancy and the lack thereof apparently results in fetal programming in the child that is more at risk for future inflammation and related diseases – in this case type I diabetes.

Most pregnant women know to take folic acid to prevent neural tube defects.  A new study shows that low folic acid status during pregnancy is linked to ADHD in offspring² (observed in children ages 7-9).  A child’s brain appears to need folic acid in the womb for optimal development and future cognitive potential.