Research Roundup: November 2012

Healthy diet boosts kids’ IQ. An Australian study reveals that children fed a healthy diet at an early age may have a slightly higher intelligence quotient (IQ), and those fed a junk food-heavy diet may have a slightly lower IQ. Researchers analyzed more than 7,000 children’s diet patterns at 6, 15 and 24 months in association with their IQ scores at age 8. Children breastfed at six months and eating foods such as legumes, produce and cheese during their first two years had an IQ of up to two points higher, while those regularly consuming sweets, sodas and chips had IQs up to two points lower.