DHA is the primary structural fatty acid found in the brain and retina. Studies have indicated that it improves mental development and maturation of visual function in very young children¹.
Does DHA continue to play a role in the cognition and intelligence of toddlers? Is there a difference between children who have a low dietary intake of DHA and children who have a higher intake?
In a research conducted, children who had a higher intake of DHA were found to have better visual perception. Visual perception, or the process of interpreting and organizing visual information, has found to correlate to achievement in mathematics and reading in school².
Get a clearer picture on the possible relationship between DHA intake and visual perception.
*Please note that this is a simplified visual demo only intended to aid in the understanding of the subject matter.
Healthy children aged 4 - 7 years who had previously been identified as consuming a diet with low DHA were randomly assigned into two feeding groups. The control group was provided with a milk-based vitamin and mineral-fortified beverage, while the experimental group was provided with the same beverage supplemented with DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) and AA (Arachidonic Acid). The children consumed 2 – 3 sachets of their assigned milk per day for 7 months.
It was found that the median visual assessment of the experimental group was significantly higher for 6 of the 9 visual assessments conducted. The results suggested that daily supplementation with DHA and AA improved development of visual perception in children who previously had low dietary intakes of DHA³.
Alessandri JM et al. Polyunsaturated fatty acids in the central nervous system: evolution of concepts and nutritional implications throughout life. Reprod. Nutr. Dev. 204; 44: 509–538.
Lien V et al. Consuming an AA and DHA fortified beverage for 7 months improves visual perception among children 4-7 years old. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition (2005); 40(5):698.
