SAEDNEWS: Pennsylvania Researchers Find Kids Who Eat Fish Are Smarter and Sleep Better
According to Saed News’ Nutrition Service, citing TechTimes, a study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania suggests that eating fish helps children grow smarter and sleep better.
The findings confirm previous research on the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in many types of fish. Omega-3s have been shown to help extend the lifespan of patients who have had a heart attack, reduce the risk of asthma in children, and counteract the effects of brain genes that can be triggered by fructose to cause disease.
The new study from the University of Pennsylvania found that higher fish consumption improves cognition and sleep in children. Researchers reached this conclusion by collecting data through questionnaires.
They tracked the fish intake of 541 boys and girls in China, aged 9 to 11, and then asked parents about their children’s sleep patterns, including duration, nighttime awakenings, and daytime sleepiness. When the children reached 12 years old, their brain development was assessed through IQ tests.
After accounting for various factors, researchers found that children who ate fish at least once a week scored, on average, 4.8 points higher than those who rarely or never ate fish. Children who ate fish occasionally, such as two to three times a month, scored an average of 3.3 points higher.
Additionally, the study found that greater fish consumption was linked to fewer sleep disturbances and overall better sleep quality. Researchers examined the effects of omega-3 fatty acids as a core part of the diet rather than as supplements, making the findings more practical for parents who can include fish in daily meals instead of relying solely on supplements.
The study’s findings are clear, but according to Jianghong Liu, the lead author and a University of Pennsylvania faculty member, research on this topic is still underdeveloped. Nevertheless, he recommends that parents include fish in dinner to help children perform better academically and sleep more soundly at night.
Adrian Raine, a professor of criminology at the University of Pennsylvania and a co-author of the study, noted that sleep deprivation is associated with antisocial behavior, and poor cognition is linked to antisocial tendencies. He added that omega-3 fatty acids are known to reduce antisocial behavior, making the positive impact of increased fish consumption unsurprising.
