Food and IQ

Processed food linked to lower kids' IQs

 Miriam Falco - CNN Medical Managing Editor

If a 3-year-old eats too much processed food, it might lower his or her  IQ by the age of 8, a new study suggests. Researchers in Britain tracked what 14,000 children ate and drank at the ages of 3, 4, 7, and 8.5 years of age, by asking parents to complete questionnaires detailing their child's diet.

The study authors suggest their study found some evidence that when 3-year-old children eat a diet rich in foods that are high in fat, high in sugar and are processed, their IQ may find a small decrease in their IQ five years later.   On the flip side, this new study suggests eating a healthy, nutrient rich diet may be associated with a small increase in IQ.

Are food and IQ really linked?  When we see raising health issues and increases in learning disabilities including autism don't you think it is only appropriate that we look at our food source.  In the past fifty years health issues and learning disabilities shot through the roof.  What is one thing that has consistently changed in our society?  That is easy our food source.  What was once a trip to the local farm to pick up fresh votable and meat from a steer has turned into shopping at mass corporations who value shelf life of a food.  Don't we want what is best for our children and for them to have the best possible start in life.  Even if fresh foods given a slight increase in IQ the health benefits for the child are so much better.