Pescatarians Rejoice! Fish Isn't Just Cheap, It May Improve IQ and Sleep Habits in Children

As a parent, one of your main concerns is doing whatever it takes to help your child succeed in life. You may try putting them in different programs to meet people, teach them about different cultures to help them understand others, or try to find ways to boost their brain functions.

While meeting new people and understanding others is important, a new study might be able to help with the last item on the above list. The study, published in Nature Scientific Report, says that children ages nine through 12 who eat a lot of fish during the week are more likely to score higher on an IQ test. In fact, according to the study these children will score four points higher and stay more focused than children who don't eat fish at all. As any of the 5.4 million PK-12 students currently in private schools know, focus is key to excelling. Could fish really be the key to academic and IQ success?

Jennifer Pinto-Martin, the study author, released a statement on what the study found.

“It adds to the growing body of evidence showing that fish consumption has really positive health benefits and should be something more heavily advertised and promoted,” she said.

According to WTVR, the omega-3s found in the fish might help with brain function, but it has been said to potentially improve a child's sleep as well. If a recent survey shows that of over 2,000 Americans, 37.5% said that they slept with a stuffed animal during their childhood. If they slept well with a stuffed animal, think of how well they'd be able to sleep with fish. To come to this conclusion, the researchers tested 500 Chinese children ages nine through 11. They asked the children to reveal who has had fish in the last month. They then asked the children who did eat it how often they did. When the children turned 12-years-old, they were then asked to submit to an IQ test.

IFL Science says that the scores revealed a potential correlation between fish intake and brain power. As the intake of the fish went down, the IQ scores did as well. Those who were eating a lot of fish were also found to have less-disturbed sleep at night. While the study did find some interesting data points, the fish theory has yet to be scientifically proven.

The scientists are currently hoping for a more definitive to be started so their finding can be proved to be 100% true. Until it is actually proven, we can all take a look at the already existing benefits of omega-3 and eating fish. Some of these benefits include being good for heart health, helping in the treatment of medical disorders, and having potentially great skin benefits.

Regardless of the study facts, Pinto-Martin suggests that parents should start feeding their children fish by the age of two.