Every parent wants their baby to be healthy and smart. How to help a baby's intellectual development? Exercise and proper nutrition are the right choices. Let's take a look at the specific methods together!
Factors that Affect Baby's Intellectual Development
1. Genetics
Generally, if parents have a high IQ, their children's IQ will not be low. This genetic factor is also reflected in blood relations. Children of parents who are both locals have an average IQ of 102. On the other hand, children born to parents who marry across provinces have an IQ of 109. Children born to cousins have a significantly lower IQ.
2. Breast Milk
Breast milk contains various active substances that promote children's intellectual development, especially taurine, which has a 10 times higher concentration in breast milk compared to cow's milk. According to surveys, children who are breastfed have an IQ that is 3-10 points higher than children who are fed formula milk.
3. Diet
Eating too much meat or being a picky eater can lower a child's IQ. Skipping breakfast can also affect intelligence because proteins, sugars, vitamins, and trace elements in breakfast are important for brain health.
4. Environment
Children who grow up in a dull environment, such as abandoned infants who do not receive maternal love and proper education, tend to have lower IQs. Research shows that the average IQ of these children at the age of 3 is only 60.5. In contrast, children who grow up in a good environment have an average IQ of 91.8 at the age of 3.
5. Medications
Some medications can affect a child's intelligence. For example, long-term use of antiepileptic drugs can lower IQ, but IQ can improve after discontinuing the medication for several years.
Nutrients that Promote Intellectual Development
1. Protein
The reason why protein in food can affect brain function is because the amino acids provided by protein influence the production of neurotransmitters. There are two main amino acids: tyrosine and tryptophan. These two amino acids affect four neurotransmitters: serotonin (produced from tryptophan), dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine (produced from tyrosine). The ratio of protein to carbohydrates, or the ratio of tryptophan to tyrosine, can affect brain alertness or relaxation. Proper protein intake can make brain neurons more active. (For example: fish, meat, beans, eggs, dairy products)
2. Carbohydrates (foods containing sugars)
The brain is also influenced by carbohydrates. The brain only uses glucose in the blood as energy. If blood sugar is too low, brain cells will lose function due to insufficient energy. (For example: whole grains, root vegetables, legumes, etc.)
3. Zinc
Zinc is closely related to intellectual development. Therefore, eating foods rich in zinc such as oysters, mackerel, animal liver, peanuts, and soybeans can help brain development.
