A new Scientific Reports study found that children who eat fish once a week or more, sleep better and score higher, on average, on IQ tests than children who never eat fish or do so less than once a week.
Dr. Mary Harris of Colorado State University tells ABC News women who are pregnant and children up to two years of age should eat the 20 most common fish, that are low in mercury.
“To or three meals per week of fish. And, for women that’s eight ounces at a minimum up to 12 ounces. And, of course smaller portions for children,” said Harris.
The study reports that children who said they ate fish weekly scored 4.8 points higher on the IQ tests than those who said they "seldom" or "never" ate fish.
“At least eight ounces and up to 12 ounces to eating a variety of these fish-that has been associated with an improved cognitive development which is very focused age of first talking and that correlates really well with IQ up until age nine,” said Harris.
She said avoid eating: shark, swordfish, Gulf of Mexico tilefish and King Mackerel.