Egghead diet for a brainy baby

Pregnant women who eat eggs regularly could have brainier babies.

Researchers say choline, a nutrient found in the yolks, appears to "supercharge" the infant brain.

A study of rats found larger brain cells in those born to mothers on a high-choline diet. Tests on humans are due to begin soon, says a report in next month's Journal of Neuro-physiology.

Dr Scott Swartwelder, of California's Duke University, said: "The potential implications are huge. It is possible that simple changes in a woman's diet during pregnancy could mean lifelong benefits for her unborn child."

Three eggs a day

Eating up to three eggs a day could bring benefit. But the experts stressed that it may be more important to eat a healthy, balanced diet rather than a large amount of any one food.

Another researcher, Dr Stephen Zeisel, of the University of North Carolina, said: "Pregnancy is no time to be experimenting with your diet."

Choline is also found in milk, nuts, fish, some vegetables and liver. However, mothers-to-be are warned to avoid liver because its high vitamin A content could harm the foetus.

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