A new study suggests that women who eat Marmite during pregnancy drastically reduce their chance of suffering a miscarriage, as well as reducing the likelihood of birth defects.
The researchers found that vitamin B3 contains properties that can “cure molecular deficiencies” that would impact the development of organs during pregnancy. Vitamin B3 is found in Marmite, with one serving of the divisive substance containing 34 per cent of an adult’s recommended intake.
“This has the potential to significantly reduce the number of miscarriages and birth defects around the world and I do not use these words lightly,” said Professor Sally Dunwoodie, a biomedical researcher at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute in Sydney, according to Sky News.
“The ramifications are likely to be huge.”
The research was conducted on pregnant mice, wherein the introduction of the vitamin into the diet of the mice “completely prevented” defects and miscarriages.
Dr Helen Webberley, who runs an online healthcare service, warned against rushing to advise pregnant women to incorporate the vitamin into their diet, saying: “Although this is a potentially exciting finding in a very emotive area, it is important to bear in mind that this result is based on studies in mice and we will need a full research project in women to evaluate the cause and effect of any lack of this vitamin in humans.
“In the meantime we should all continue with normal healthy eating patterns to give us a good balance of minerals and vitamins.
“Blood tests are available for the essential vitamins and, if deficiencies are found, then they may need to be replaced.”
