it might sound like just another crazy craving, but eating strawberries and seaweed can also help your little one become champion of the spelling bee. It’s because milk, strawberries and seaweed all contain iodine – essential for producing hormones made by the thyroid, which plays a key role in the physical and mental development of babies in the womb.
British researchers from Bristol and Surrey universities measured iodine in urine samples from 1,040 women during pregnancy and found that those with a deficiency were 60% more likely to have children with lower IQs. The results also showed the effect was lasting, with nine-year-olds achieving lower scores on literacy tests. However, the lack of iodine had no effect on the same children’s maths skills, suggesting the deficiency affects only the development of memory.
The report, published in the Lancet medical journal, was led by Professor Margaret Raymen, who says that the findings mean expectant mums should up their iodine intake.
“Our results clearly show the importance of adequate iodine status during early pregnancy and emphasis the risk that iodine deficiency can pose to the developing infant,” she says.
Previous research has revealed that conventional milk is better for pregnant women to drink than organic milk, as organic milk contains 42% less iodine. Along with seaweed and strawberries, iodine is also found in cheddar cheese, eggs, beef, lamb, pork, oranges and grapes.
Since 2009, Australian and New Zealand governments have required that all salt used to make bread, apart from organic bread, be iodised, which means most of the bread we consume is also a great source of the substance.
The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends a daily iodine intake of 150mg, but this should be increased to 270mg for women who are pregnant and breastfeeding.
So if you’re with child and caught devouring a meal of oranges with beef washed down with a strawberry milkshake, just explain that it’s not a pregnancy thing – you just want your baby to be top of his spelling class!
