Early Childhood Nutrition Shapes Intelligence

A systematic review in Advances in Nutrition confirms that early childhood diet quality, not single nutrients, predicts adolescent intelligence. Poor diet in the first three years correlates with lower IQ even after controlling for socioeconomic factors. New evidence from a longitudinal study shows that maternal diet during pregnancy shapes children's future food preferences, reinforcing the importance of whole diet quality from before birth. Practical takeaway: prioritize whole diet quality in early childhood and during pregnancy for long-term cognitive and behavioral benefits.