Research reveals that consuming walnuts during pregnancy significantly improves neurodevelopmental outcomes in two-year-olds
İstanbul, Turkey – ( ARAB NEWSWIRE ) - Optimal nutrition is critical during pregnancy for both mother and child, especially for brain development and healthy birth weight. Lack of key nutrients increases the risk for low birth weight and developmental delays in children. According to the joint UNICEF and WHO study of global, regional, and country estimates of low birth weight, the incidence of LBW in the Middle East and the Gulf countries was reported as Oman (9%), Lebanon (6%), Syria (6%), Algeria (7%), Kuwait (7%), Libya (7%), Tunisia (7%), Bahrain (8%), Jordan (10%), Qatar (10%), Morocco (11%), Saudi Arabia (11%), Egypt (12%), and Yemen (32%) 1 In a randomized controlled trial published in JAMA Network Open, and supported by the California Walnut Commission, researchers found incorporating walnuts and olive oil, in addition to following the Mediterranean Diet during pregnancy, improved child neurodevelopmental outcomes at age two, compared to those who mothers didn't follo