The Consultation That Made Me Think

Today, an unexpected conversation in my clinic made me think about food myths we rarely question, how they spread through cultures, and what science tells us about nutrition and cognitive function.

A middle-aged Mangalorean professor came in with a fungal infection, likely from Bangalore’s unforgiving summer heat. As I advised her on diet modifications, our consultation was interrupted when another patient—a young Odia mother—peeked in to ask about brahmi tablets for her son.

My Mangalorean patient immediately perked up. “We don’t need those, Doctor. We eat fish. Fish eaters are always intelligent.”

The certainty in her voice struck me. I asked, “Which intelligence?”

She looked puzzled. “What do you mean, which intelligence? Intelligence is intelligence!”

I smiled. “According to Howard Gardner’s theory, there are nine distinct types: linguistic (words), logical-mathematical (numbers), spatial (visualization), bodily-kinesthetic (physical skills), musical, interpersonal (social), intrapersonal (self-awareness), naturalistic (nature patterns), and existential (life’s big questions).”

She faltered momentarily before recovering: “Well, just look at our SSLC and PUC ranks! The coastal students always score higher!”

“That measures primarily linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligence,” I countered. “Did you know Einstein was thought to have exceptional spatial intelligence but struggled with linguistic subjects in school?”

Cultural Patterns vs. Causation

This interaction got me thinking about the complex interplay between culture, diet, and intelligence. As a physician and someone interested in anthropology, I find these intersections fascinating.

The belief that fish consumption leads to higher intelligence is widespread in coastal communities worldwide—not just in Mangalore or Ankola. From Japan to Scandinavia to Mediterranean fishing villages, cultural pride in fish consumption often correlates with academic achievement.

But correlation isn’t causation. When anthropologists examine these communities more closely, they typically find multiple factors at play. Coastal communities often developed earlier trade networks, had access to diverse resources, developed more complex social structures to manage fishing fleets, and consequently established formalized education systems earlier than inland communities.

Dr Amartya Sen’s work on development and capability points to access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunity as the primary drivers of human potential—not just dietary patterns. Sociologist Pierre Bourdieu would point to “cultural capital” passed down through generations as another significant factor in educational attainment.

Historical research shows that coastal communities in Karnataka had earlier access to missionary schools, trading opportunities with Arab merchants, and commercial networks that valued literacy and numeracy. These socioeconomic advantages created educational momentum that continues today—and coincidentally, these communities eat fish regularly.

The Neuroscience Behind Fish Consumption

Yet nutrition does matter for cognitive function. “Fish contains something special, doesn’t it?” my patient asked.

“It does. Did you know the human brain is 60% fat? Omega-3 fatty acids in fish support brain health by reducing inflammation and maintaining cell membrane fluidity. DHA, a specific omega-3, is crucial for neural development and cognitive processing.”

“Here’s something fascinating,” I added. “Studies of pregnant women who consumed more fish showed their children had higher verbal IQ, better fine motor skills, and more prosocial behaviour—but only up to 12 ounces weekly. Beyond that, concerns about mercury contamination outweighed benefits.”

“Another surprising fact: cold-water fish like salmon and sardines contain more brain-beneficial omega-3s than tropical fish. So geography—not just fish consumption itself—matters too.”

The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, which followed over 14,000 British children, found that mothers who consumed fish during pregnancy had children with higher IQ scores at age 8—but confounding factors like maternal education and socioeconomic status were also significant predictors.

Meanwhile, the NUTRIMENTHE project across Europe found that while fish consumption positively impacted neurological development, the effect size was modest compared to other factors like parental engagement, early childhood stimulation, and educational environment.

Beyond Fish: Brain Nutrition Is Complex

But fish isn’t the only path to brain health. Plant-based options like walnuts, flaxseeds, and avocados contain alpha-linolenic acid. Green leafy vegetables provide essential nutrients that slow cognitive decline. Berries improve memory through their flavonoid content. Even your morning caffeine ritual supports concentration and memory formation.

“Did you know blueberries can enhance musical intelligence? Research shows musicians who consumed blueberry concentrate showed improved task switching—a cognitive skill essential for musical performance.”

A 2018 Mediterranean diet study published in Neurology found that participants who consumed more olive oil, nuts, and plant-based foods scored better on cognitive tests than those following standard dietary recommendations—even without fish consumption.

The MIND diet (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) research suggests that diversity in nutrient-dense foods matters more than any single food group. Participants who followed this pattern, which includes fish but emphasizes variety, showed a 53% reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Intelligence Is Multifaceted

We sometimes confuse cultural patterns with causation. For historical and economic reasons, fish-eating coastal communities often have strong educational systems beyond diet alone.

“So what should I tell my students?” she asked on her way out.

“Tell them that Socrates, Einstein, and Leonardo da Vinci all excelled in different types of intelligence. And while nutrition matters, their bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, or interpersonal intelligence might shine brighter than traditional academic measures.”

“The most recent breakthrough? Researchers have identified docosahexaenoic acid—found primarily in fish—potentially protective against Alzheimer’s disease. It helps clear the brain of amyloid plaques that disrupt neural pathways.”

Where Culture, Nutrition, and Neuroscience Meet

Anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss famously studied food as a cultural system communicating social meaning. The Mangalorean belief in fish and intelligence isn’t just about nutrition but cultural identity, community pride, and intergenerational wisdom.

When communities build narratives around certain foods, these stories become self-reinforcing. Parents who believe fish increases intelligence will likely prioritize fish consumption and education, creating an environment where children are more likely to succeed academically.

Psychologist Carol Dweck’s research on mindset shows that believing in one’s potential to develop intelligence improves cognitive outcomes. Believing in fish as brain food creates a positive expectation that becomes self-fulfilling.

A Doctor’s Reflection

As an Ayurvedic physician, I value evidence-based nutrition. However, as someone interested in human complexity, I recognize that cultural beliefs around food carry power beyond their measurable nutritional impact.

What we feed our brains matters—but so does how we feed our minds through education, curiosity, and challenging our assumptions, even those served on our dinner plates. The most intelligent approach might be embracing diversity in our diets and how we define intelligence.

The next time a patient shares a food belief with certainty, I’ll remember it’s an opportunity to explore the fascinating intersection of culture, neuroscience, and human potential—places where simple answers rarely tell the whole story.