Eating More Fish During Pregnancy Keeps You Healthy and Lowers Oxidative Stress

The oxidative stress in mothers and newborns can be counteracted by introducing 2 servings per week of salmon enriched with Omega 3 into the diet. This was demonstrated by a study from the University of Granada (Spain), published in the journal Antioxidants and Redox Signaling, conducted by a group of researchers led by Cruz Erika García-Rodríguez. The authors explain that consuming these amounts of salmon during pregnancy helps women and their babies reach the Omega-3 levels recommended by experts.

Salmon in Pregnancy: Omega-3 from the Sea

The research conducted in the laboratories of the University of Granada is part of a larger European project: the Salmon in Pregnancy Study. Initial data gathered during this project revealed that consuming salmon in pregnancy increases the levels of Omega-3 found in both the mother and the child. In fact, salmon is one of the richest foods in Omega-3, fatty acids useful for both proper fetal development and reducing risks of complications during pregnancy. The salmon used by García-Rodríguez and colleagues was further enriched with these nutrients by including plant oils, algae, and zooplankton in its diet. This particular farming method allowed the researchers to obtain fish rich in Omega-3, antioxidant vitamins (especially A and E), and selenium.

The Effect of Omega-3 During Pregnancy

The new study involved pregnant women characterized by low fish consumption, who were divided into 2 groups:

- the first continued their usual diet;

- the second introduced into their diet, starting from the twentieth week of gestation, 2 servings per week of salmon enriched with Omega-3.

Between the twentieth and thirty-fourth week of pregnancy, all participants completed a questionnaire about their eating habits over the previous 12 weeks. Additionally, the researchers collected blood and urine samples from all the women. Samples were taken again at the thirty-eighth week of gestation and at delivery. Finally, blood samples from the umbilical cord were collected at birth.

More Omega-3 and Less Stress

Data analysis showed that increased salmon consumption caused a rise in Omega-3, selenium, and vitamin A levels in both the pregnant woman and the newborn. The researchers also observed a progressive increase of other molecules important for counteracting oxidative stress.

Peaceful Pregnancy: Help from Omega-3

These results, explain the authors, indicate that consuming 2 servings per week of salmon helps the expectant mother and newborn reach the minimum recommended Omega-3 levels while also boosting antioxidant defenses. This way, it is possible to reduce the oxidative stress associated with pregnancy that could lead to serious complications, including miscarriage, preterm birth, and preeclampsia.