A study found that a healthy prenatal diet can lower the risk of autism in children by 22%. Researchers analyzed data from over 96,000 mother-infant pairs and discovered that a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, fish, and whole grains reduced the risk of autism. Children born to mothers who followed a healthy diet also had a 24% lower chance of social and communication issues at ages 3 and 8. The researchers believe that the protective effect may be due to how certain foods affect DNA, the immune system, or provide essential nutrients for fetal brain development. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and understand the underlying mechanisms.
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