Study links eating a Western diet during pregnancy and neurodivergence

A Danish study has discovered a “strong link” between Western diet during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and autism in children.

Published in Nature Metabolism, the observational study found moderate shifts increased the risk of the disorders; however, the mother can also potentially reduce the risk. 

“When comparing across cohorts, we observed the strongest associations in the first and second trimesters, suggesting that brain development during this period is particularly sensitive to maternal nutritional influences,” explains senior author Professor Morten Arendt Rasmussen from the University of Copenhagen.

Pinning risky metabolites 

The researchers found 43 metabolites in maternal blood, and over 60,000 mother-child pairs were analyzed.

“We found that 15 of these 43 metabolites were particularly linked to the increased risk of ADHD. Many of these metabolites are derived from dietary intake and play key roles in regulating inflammation and oxidative stress — factors believed to be critical in early neurodevelopment,” says lead author Dr. David Horner, MD, PhD.

“The greater a woman’s adherence to a Western diet in pregnancy — high in fat, sugar, and refined products while low in fish, vegetables, and fruit — the greater the risk appears to be for her child developing ADHD or autism.”

A 122% increased risk of autism and a 66% increased risk of ADHD were associated with minor dietary changes toward a more Western diet. 

A 122% increased risk of autism and a 66% increased risk of ADHD were associated with minor dietary changes toward a more Western diet.Evidence across cohorts

Researchers analyzed the blood of mothers and their children in four large independent cohorts in Denmark and the US. They found links between Western diet and ADHD were confirmed in all four cohorts.

The data reveals insights from 600 children who were clinically assessed for neurodevelopmental disorders at ten years old.

Since genetics play a significant role — 80% heritability — in neurodevelopmental disorders, the researchers say they accounted for such factors to improve the reliability of their findings.

Researchers note that one of the study’s main advantages was the use of high-quality biological samples, including repeated metabolomic measurements during pregnancy and childhood.

Researchers identified 15 of 43 metabolites linked to the increased risk of ADHD.Are current guidelines sufficient?

In Denmark, dietary recommendations during pregnancy are similar to those for the general population. They emphasize a balanced diet with vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and fish rather than red meat.

David Horner asks whether the dietary recommendations for expectant mothers are adequate.

“We know that nutritional demands increase during pregnancy, and our study highlights just how crucial dietary composition is for fetal development. While the Nordic diet is often considered healthy, our data show that many pregnant women follow dietary patterns that could be optimized to better support their child’s development.”

“This study raises the question of whether existing dietary recommendations are sufficiently followed during pregnancy — and whether they have the desired impact on child health.”

However, the study authors note that while their findings present a strong statistical association, it does not prove that a Western diet causes ADHD or autism.

Nevertheless, Horner says the research “identifies specific nutrients and foods that could serve as the foundation for improved dietary guidelines and preventative strategies.”

“By understanding how maternal diet influences fetal development, we can better identify the key nutrients and dietary adjustments needed to reduce the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. This opens new possibilities for refining dietary recommendations and promoting healthier outcomes for future generations.”

Previous research linked food insecurity in early life and pregnancy to higher rates of child obesity. A separate study found pregnant mothers sticking to USDA diet guidelines cut infant obesity risk.