It has been a long-debated topic that which foods are the healthiest and which can be harmful. But even stapes like fruits, veggies and fish can be harmful when taken in higher doses especially for pregnant women and kids. This is because the exposure to pesticides and other food contaminants can be harmful for pregnant women and baby, says a study by Environmental Health Perspectives. Pregnant women and small kids are especially vulnerable to exposure to food contaminants. During gestation, the fetus and the baby are vulnerable to the effects of environmental chemicals. A healthy and balanced diet during pregnancy is critical for optimal nutritional status. The studyA large team of scientists from institutions throughout Europe studied the association between diet and 33 environmental contaminants in mother and children from across six European countries. It was found that higher the fish consumption, the higher levels of toxic persistent chemicals were present in the blood of both the mother and the child. These chemicals included polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and the toxic metals arsenic and mercury. The recommended intake of fish was three servings per week for pregnant women and two servings for children. It was found that those who followed the recommended intake had lower levels of PFAS, arsenic and mercury. It was also found that consumption of fruits was associated with the levels of four organophosphate pesticide (OP) that was measured by taking the urine samples of children and pregnant women. Pregnant women who had more than the recommended servings of fruits had higher levels of metabolites in their urine as compared to those who had low fruit consumption. Additionally, it was found that children who ate organic food more than once a week had lower levels of OP and phthalate metabolites in their urine as compared to children who did not consume organic foods.The researchers found that pregnant women and children who did not exceed the dietary recommendation for fish were less exposed to PFAS, arsenic and mercury.
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How everyday diet can increase the risk of toxic exposure in pregnant women - Times of India
