“Previous research in my lab had suggested that 4D ultrasounds are a way to monitor fetal responses, to understand how they respond to maternal health-related behaviors, such as smoking, and to mental health. of the mothers, including on stress, depression and anxiety,” said co-author Nadja Reissland. Professor Reissland is the head of the Fetal and Neonatal Research Lab at Durham University and she supervised Beyza Usun’s research.
“This latest study could have important implications for our understanding of the earliest clues to the ability of fetuses to perceive and distinguish different tastes and smells that come from the foods their mothers have eaten,” Reissland said.
“Looking at the reactions on the faces of fetuses, we can assume that a series of chemical stimuli pass through the mother’s diet into the environment of the fetus,” said co-author Benoist Schaal of the CNRS-Université de Bourgogne.
“This could play a major role in our understanding of the development of our taste and smell receptors, and of the perception and memory associated with them.”
The researchers say their findings could also help educate mothers about the importance of flavors and a healthy diet during pregnancy.