- One egg a day for six months boosts youngsters’ levels of choline and DHA
- Both of these nutrients are involved in maintaining brain health
- Previous research reveals eggs increase growth and prevent stunting in infants
- Researchers say eggs are designed to support the growth of organisms
- Compared to other foods, eggs are relatively affordable and more nutritious
Alexandra Thompson Health Reporter For Mailonline
4
View
comments
Feeding babies eggs boosts their brain development and function, new research suggests.
Just one egg a day for six months significantly increases youngsters’ levels of the nutrients choline and DHA, both of which are involved in brain health, a study found.
Previous research reveals feeding babies eggs improves their growth and prevents stunting.
Lead author Lora Iannotti from the Brown School at Washington University, said: ‘Like milk or seeds, eggs are designed to support the early growth and development of an organism and are, therefore, dense in nutrient content.
‘Eggs provide essential fatty acids, proteins, choline, vitamins A and B12, selenium, and other critical nutrients at levels above or comparable to those found in other animal food products, but they are relatively more affordable.’
Feeding babies eggs boosts their brain development and function, research suggests (stock)
-
![]()
Scientists reveal why this ONE salad dressing could help…
![]()
A donor and the mother she saved will mark their newfound…
AN EGG A DAY REDUCES BABIES’ RISK OF BEING STUNTED OR UNDERWEIGHT
Feeding babies an egg every day helps them grow, research revealed in June.
Infants given a daily egg between the ages of six and nine months have higher levels of important nutrients, such as vitamin B12, in their blood compared to those who do not regularly consume eggs, a study found.
This helps to prevent babies being stunted or underweight, the research adds.
Lead author Lora Ianotti from the Brown School at Washington University, said: ‘Eggs can be affordable and easily accessible.
‘They are also a good source of nutrients for growth and development in young children.’
How the research was carried out
The researchers analyzed 163 babies aged between six and nine months from Ecuador in 2015.
Of the infants, 80 were fed one egg a day for six months, while the remainder were given none.
Their vitamin and mineral levels were assessed via blood tests.
‘Eggs are designed to support early growth and development’
Results reveal babies who eat eggs have significantly higher levels of choline and DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, both of which play a vital role in brain development and function.
Ms Iannotti said: ‘Eggs have been consumed throughout human history, but the full potential of this nutritionally-complete food has yet to be recognized in many resource-poor settings around the world.
‘Like milk or seeds, eggs are designed to support the early growth and development of an organism and are, therefore, dense in nutrient content.
‘Eggs provide essential fatty acids, proteins, choline, vitamins A and B12, selenium, and other critical nutrients at levels above or comparable to those found in other animal food products, but they are relatively more affordable.’
The findings were reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Share or comment on this article
-
![This three metre-long whale calf was blown inland by Storm Caroline's 100mph winds. It was discovered on Eshaness in Shetland earlier this month]()
Grisly footage shows post-mortem on a baby killer whale… -
![With its wet cobblestones and nostalgic backdrops, this is the festive Edwardian scene that greets visitors at Beamish Open-Air Museum in County Durham]()
How Christmas used to be! Fascinating scenes at open-air… -
![Thousands of people gathered at Stonehenge today to celebrate the first sunrise after the winter solstice]()
It’ll only get better from here! Pagans and druids gather… -
![Jamanoor Islam, 20, bled to death in his mother's arms in hospital after being stabbed in the leg and beaten with a baseball bat during a fight near his home in east London]()
Killer, 16, who knifed 20-year-old student to death after… -
![Ringleader Florinel Mitru, 31, from Preston, was sentenced to five years and four months in prison]()
Romanian vice gang who trafficked women from their own… -
![A school production by teachers at St Wilfrid's in West Sussex, of the 2003 Christmas classic Love Actually, has been dubbed better than the original by film director Richard Curtis, after his wife Emma Freud took to Twitter to praise the heartwarming remake]()
‘Your version is better than mine’: Love Actually… -
![Derek Lawless (pictured), 37, of Harlow, Essex, was on trial at Chelmsford Crown Court this week, but failed to turn up in the dock on Wednesday. He was re-captured today]()
The law catches up with the lawless as police catch… -
![Simon Price, 53,(seen outside Birmingham Crown Court) and his wife Alayna, 39, admitted cheating Birmingham Dogs Home in an £894,754 fraud over four years, from 2012]()
Trusted couple stole almost £900,000 from a dogs’ home… -
![Chiko the one-year-old Shiba Inu is the paw-fect childminder as he gently rocks eight-day-old Leonardo to sleep in their home in Hong Kong]()
‘You can always find him near Leonardo’: Adorable Shiba… -
![Stuart Olding, 24, has been acquitted of one of two counts of rape ahead of his trial which is due to start at Belfast Crown Court next month alongside team mate Paddy Jackson]()
Irish rugby star accused of attacking woman along with… -
![Mijanur Rehnan, 19, posed as a police officer and collected nearly £8,000 from victim William Dickson]()
Teenage conman who cheated retired journalist, 73, of his… -
![The Rocket Man hit maker is still an international star at the age of 70 and tours semi-regularly]()
The Christmas ‘crock ‘n’ rollers’: Festive hit makers may… -
![PC Adam Cox, 31, created an alter ego called Emily Whitehouse, where he then exchanged explicit messages with other men online]()
Royal police officer who posed as a 17-year-old girl… -
![Retired Royal Mail manager Geoff Stevens, 64, from Seaford, East Sussex, is so obsessed with Christmas he has 20 trees and £10,000 of decorations]()
The Xmas tree addict: Retired Royal Mail manager, 64, is… -
![This is the advertising poster that offended a vicar. Domino's sent the 'glossy poster' to Reverend Toby Crow, who said it was 'blasphemous']()
Furious vicar blasts Domino’s for asking him to hang… -
![Adorable pictures show the bears appearing to have a fun tickle fight in the snow, rolling around and even showing toothy grins to each other]()
Polar bear cubs are pictured rolling around in the snow… -
![Violinist Nicola Benedetti (left) has demanded a meeting with British Airways CEO Alex Cruz to discuss problems with transporting valuable equipment on flights]()
Top violinist and leading trumpeter team up to challenge… -
![Warren Ullyett went missing from Herne Bay on November 2. His body was recovered more than 70 miles away in France]()
Heartbroken mother is battling to solve the mystery of…
Comments 4
Share what you think
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Close
Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline?
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual.
Close
Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline?
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual
We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook.
You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.
Article source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-5205765/Feeding-babies-eggs-boosts-brain-development.html