A child’s sense of taste and smell is developed in utero, and new research suggests that a baby’s exposure to certain flavors in the womb — through the mother’s eating habits — could predetermine what that child enjoys eating as a child and adult, The Atlantic reported.
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Flavors are transmitted through the bloodstream and flavor amniotic fluid, so if a baby experiences a flavor in utero or in breastmilk, they tend to prefer it more than other flavors, according to the report.
These findings are not surprising since it’s well-known that what the mother ingests — good and bad — can directly affect a developing fetus.
For instance, consuming sugar during pregnancy may increase your child’s risk of developing allergies and asthma.
Sugar has a profound effect on the health of your growing baby.
One study showed that children born to mothers who ate high amounts of sugar during pregnancy had a 38% increased risk of allergies and a 73% higher risk of becoming allergic to two or more allergens.
To reduce your child’s risk for developing asthma and support your child’s immune system, reduce — or better yet — eliminate sugar from your diet and make sure your vitamin D levels are sufficient.
The majority of pregnant and breastfeeding women do not get recommended amounts of omega-3 fats, which are crucial for the baby’s visual and cognitive development, and may reduce women’s risk of postpartum depression.
Omega-3 fats are known as essential fatty acids because the only way you can get them is via your diet.
Most Americans’ diets are seriously lacking in omega-3 fats and women tend to become further depleted during pregnancy, as the fetus uses omega-3s for nervous system development.
After birth, omega-3s are again used to make breast milk, and for women on their second or third pregnancy, levels may be extremely low.
Omega-3s can be found in seafood, fish and seaweed products, with the majority from salmon. Pregnant women should eat one to two portions a week of fish high in omega-3 fats to help increase levels. Also consider taking an animal-based omega-3 fat supplement.
When it comes to what not to put into your body during pregnancy, acetaminophen makes the list. Many view over-the-counter (OTC) drugs as safe because they don't require a prescription, but nothing could be further from the truth.
For example, OTC acetaminophen, aka brand name Tylenol, is a known hormone disruptor, and abnormal hormonal exposures in pregnancy can influence fetal brain development.
Research has shown that use of acetaminophen during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of the child being diagnosed with a severe form of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Another investigation found children of both sexes whose mothers used acetaminophen during pregnancy were more likely to have ADHD symptoms at age 5, with boys more likely to have ASD.