Why do some people stress more easily than others? One of the multiple explanations could be in thefeeding typethat their mothers followed during pregnancy. An investigation published inThe FASEB Journal reveals that pregnant women who ingest more choline than recommended have children who respond better to stress.
Choline is an essential nutrient found in vitamin B complexes and is very abundant in foods such as eggs and liver. This molecule is the precursor to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is involved in many key functions for the body. According to the new study, the intake of this nutrient is especially important during pregnancy because, among other things, it can determine that the future child suffers from one of the most characteristic ills of the 20th century.
The authors, from Cornell University (New York), analyzed the levels of cortisol present in the blood, placenta and umbilical tissue, in mothers who consumed 480 milligrams of choline daily, which is the recommended amount, and in women who consumed 930 milligrams. The results revealed that high choline intake causesepigenetic changes that lower cortisol levels.This hormone is important since it provokes the response to stress, but a high production of it can lead to problems such as chronic stress and cardiovascular diseases.
“We hope that our work helps determine the recommended amounts of choline to consume during pregnancy., which guarantee the optimal development of the fetus and reduce the risk of stress-related diseases throughout the child’s life “, explains Marie A. Caudil, one of the authors.
