UK Wedding News
01/10/2013
Previously, expectant mothers have been warned off the food amid fears over the metal mercury, which builds up in oily fish. The metal can damage the brain of unborn children, and in the past, the Food Standards Agency has advised mothers-to-be restrict their consumption of tuna, mackerel, sardines and salmon and to avoid shark and swordfish altogether.
However, a new large-scale British study suggests that the concerns over mercury levels in fish may be unfounded.
Researchers compared mercury levels in blood samples from more than 4,000 pregnant women from the Bristol area with information about their diet and lifestyle. It was discovered that fish accounted for only 7% of the mercury in the women's bodies, with food and drink accounting for 17%. The study also found that herbal teas were linked to higher mercury levels in the blood, while wine appeared to increase mercury levels more than beer. Women who ate lots of chips and white bread tended to have lower levels in their system.
Other sources of the metal included air pollution, pesticides and dental fillings.
Only 1% of the women who took part were found to have mercury levels higher than the maximum recommended by the US National Research Council, but there is no official safe level in the UK.
The study concluded that the advice given to pregnant women to limit their seafood intake is unlikely to significantly reduce their mercury levels.
Professor Jean Golding, lead author of the report - which has been published in Environmental Health Perspectives - explained: "We were pleasantly surprised to find that fish contributes such a small amount to blood mercury levels.
"We have previously found that eating fish during pregnancy has many health benefits for both mother and child. We hope many more women will now consider eating more fish during pregnancy."
Professor Charles Kingsland, of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, added: "Fish is a valuable nutrient and is something we wouldn't tell patients to avoid because it is full of mercury.
"We'd say to eat more of it because it is full of omega-3 oils and all things that are good for you." However, the long-lasting advice from the Food Standard Agency said its advice stands, with a spokesman quoted as saying: "Most people do not eat enough fish. However, children, pregnant women and women who are trying to get pregnant should not eat shark, marlin or swordfish.
"If you are trying for a baby or are pregnant, you should have no more than four cans of tuna a week. Mackerel, sardines, salmon and trout should not be eaten more than twice a week."
(JP/MH)
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Fish Is Safe To Eat During Pregnancy - Study
A new study has claimed that pregnant women should eat more fish.Previously, expectant mothers have been warned off the food amid fears over the metal mercury, which builds up in oily fish. The metal can damage the brain of unborn children, and in the past, the Food Standards Agency has advised mothers-to-be restrict their consumption of tuna, mackerel, sardines and salmon and to avoid shark and swordfish altogether.
However, a new large-scale British study suggests that the concerns over mercury levels in fish may be unfounded.
Researchers compared mercury levels in blood samples from more than 4,000 pregnant women from the Bristol area with information about their diet and lifestyle. It was discovered that fish accounted for only 7% of the mercury in the women's bodies, with food and drink accounting for 17%. The study also found that herbal teas were linked to higher mercury levels in the blood, while wine appeared to increase mercury levels more than beer. Women who ate lots of chips and white bread tended to have lower levels in their system.
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Other sources of the metal included air pollution, pesticides and dental fillings.
Only 1% of the women who took part were found to have mercury levels higher than the maximum recommended by the US National Research Council, but there is no official safe level in the UK.
The study concluded that the advice given to pregnant women to limit their seafood intake is unlikely to significantly reduce their mercury levels.
Professor Jean Golding, lead author of the report - which has been published in Environmental Health Perspectives - explained: "We were pleasantly surprised to find that fish contributes such a small amount to blood mercury levels.
"We have previously found that eating fish during pregnancy has many health benefits for both mother and child. We hope many more women will now consider eating more fish during pregnancy."
Professor Charles Kingsland, of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, added: "Fish is a valuable nutrient and is something we wouldn't tell patients to avoid because it is full of mercury.
"We'd say to eat more of it because it is full of omega-3 oils and all things that are good for you." However, the long-lasting advice from the Food Standard Agency said its advice stands, with a spokesman quoted as saying: "Most people do not eat enough fish. However, children, pregnant women and women who are trying to get pregnant should not eat shark, marlin or swordfish.
"If you are trying for a baby or are pregnant, you should have no more than four cans of tuna a week. Mackerel, sardines, salmon and trout should not be eaten more than twice a week."
(JP/MH)
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