INTAKE of cod liver oil in early pregnancy may result in a larger baby, Icelandic research has found, reported by nutraingredients.com.

Higher birthweight has been associated with a lower risk of diseases later in life, the authors of the study add, so mothers that take cod liver oil might help protect their children against a number of adult health conditions.

Icelandic birthweights are among the highest in the world so a team from the Public Health Institute of Iceland estimated marine food and cod liver oil intake in 435 healthy pregnant women using a questionnaire covering food intake together with lifestyle factors.The research found that healthy women were 11 times more likely to give birth to an infant weighing 4.5kg or more if they took liquid cod liver oil supplements.

The authors attributed these findings to the increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids from the liquid cod liver oil. Cod liver oil is still popular in north European countries, offering vitamin D during winter months and valuable omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

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