Posted Mar 13, 2009
GIVING teenage boys a fish dinner at least once a week boosts their intelligence, researchers said yesterday.
Experts found 15-year-old boys who ate fish regularly scored better on intelligence tests when they reached 18 than those who rarely ate it.
Including fish in the diet was also found to influence a boy’s result irrespective of whether they had a good education.
Researchers from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden questioned 3972 boys about their fish intake aged 15 and matched this against intelligence scores aged 18.
Of the group, 57 per cent ate fish about once a week, 20 per cent ate it more than once a week and 23 per cent ate it less than once a week.
The intelligence tests included logic and verbal reasoning as well as spatial awareness and geometric perception.
Technical, mechanical and maths skills were also examined.
The researchers found eating fish had a “significant impact” on the scores.
Boys who ate fish once a week increased their scores by an average of six per cent, while those who ate fish more than once a week increased them by just under 11 per cent.
Professor Kjell Toren, one of the lead researchers, added: “We found a clear link between frequent fish consumption and higher scores.”
Prof Toren said it was not clear exactly how eating fish influences intelligence, although it is thought the fatty acids in fish may aid performance.
Date: Mar 12, 2009
