It is important to take care of a pregnant mother’s nutrition. Researches revealed that the mother’s nutrition directly influences the health of the new born, but it’s just not the mother whose diet affects the health of the new born. Studies have found that the father’s eating habits before conception also affect the future health of the new born.
Research was done by Kimmins of Mc Gill University, on the affect of folate (found in all green leafy vegetables, fruits, cereals and meat) or Vitamin B9 on new borns. Folate tablets are recommended by Doctors to pregnant mothers to prevent miscarriages and birth defects.
Kimmins research revealed that fathers should also focus on folate consumption before conception because the father contributes to half the hereditary information passed on to the child. Due to insufficient levels of folate in the father, it may lead to a 30% increase in the risk of birth defects. This is in comparison to a father who had received sufficient amount of folate which is 400mcg /day.
So Kimmins said that “Men are not just responsible for their health. They are also responsible for their future offspring”.