A cracking discovery? Egg nutrient linked to higher IQ scores

Summarised by Centrist

A nutrient found in eggs, meat and fish may play a bigger role in children's brain development than previously thought.

A new American study found that four-year-olds whose mothers took high-dose choline supplements during pregnancy scored nearly eight IQ points higher than those in a placebo group.

Choline supports brain and nervous system function, with egg yolks among its richest everyday sources.

Researchers at the University of Colorado followed children born to 206 women randomly assigned to receive either phosphatidylcholine, a choline-based supplement, or a placebo during pregnancy.

By age four, children in the supplement group averaged an IQ score of 106, compared with 98 in the placebo group.

The differences extended beyond intelligence testing. Only 4% of children in the supplement group showed persistent or multiple social withdrawal problems, compared with 24% in the placebo group.

Researchers also observed fewer behaviours associated with autism spectrum disorder, although these findings were preliminary and did not establish whether supplements reduce autism diagnoses.

Choline helps developing brain cells form connections and is found in everyday foods, including eggs, fish and meat, as well as some prenatal vitamins.

The study, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, found no significant improvement in attention problems.

There were also limitations. About one-third of participants did not complete the four-year follow-up, and only 103 children underwent IQ testing.

Researchers say larger studies are needed to confirm the findings and determine whether the benefits persist as children grow.

For now, the humble egg has another interesting claim to fame, although the study tested concentrated supplements rather than ordinary dietary intake.

Read more at StudyFinds

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