A groundbreaking study from Monash University, published in Nature Cell Biology, suggests that mothers who consume certain foods like apples and specific herbs (basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and sage) during early pregnancy may be safeguarding the brain health of not just their children but also their grandchildren.
The research team, led by Professor Roger Pocock, used roundworms (Caenorhabditis elegans) as a genetic model for the study.
Roundworm genes share similarities with human genes, providing valuable insights into human cellular mechanisms.
The team specifically investigated the nerve cells’ axons—tiny ‘cables’ essential for brain communication—which become fragile and break as the animals age.
The Molecule That Makes a Difference
Researchers identified a molecule known as ursolic acid, commonly found in apples and herbs, that reduces axon fragility by triggering the activation of a gene that produces a specific type of fat, known as sphingolipid.
The sphingolipid subsequently enhances axon transport, thus improving its overall health and function.
This particular type of fat travels from the mother’s intestine to her eggs in the uterus, which could provide neuroprotective effects for the next generation.
Remarkably, feeding the mother this sphingolipid seems to protect axons in not only her offspring but in two subsequent generations as well.
What This Means for Pregnant Women
Professor Pocock emphasized that while the study’s findings are promising, they still need to be confirmed in human trials.
Nonetheless, he stated, “Our work supports a healthy diet during pregnancy for optimal brain development and health.”
This study is the first to show that a lipid or fat can be inherited and has a potential trans-generational impact.
If these results hold true in humans, they could revolutionize our understanding of the influence a mother’s diet can have on the neurological health of her children and grandchildren.
Next Steps
Further research will be necessary to verify these findings in human populations.
Still, the study opens exciting avenues for understanding how lifestyle choices during pregnancy can have long-lasting effects on subsequent generations.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about how the Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and Vitamin B supplements could help reduce dementia risk.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that high-fiber diet could help lower the dementia risk, and these antioxidants could help reduce dementia risk.
The study was published in Nature Cell Biology.
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