Research: Mediterranean-style diet during pregnancy can reduce preeclampsia risk

Apr 26, 2022

New Delhi, April 27 (ANI): Following a Mediterranean-style diet during pregnancy is linked to a reduced risk of developing preeclampsia, suggests the findings of recent research. Black women appeared to have the greatest reduction of risk. The findings of the study were published in the ‘Journal of the American Heart Association’. Previous studies have found that following a Mediterranean diet, which consists primarily of vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, olive oil, whole grains, and fish, reduces heart disease risk in adults. Preeclampsia, a condition during pregnancy characterized by severe high blood pressure and liver or kidney damage, is a major cause of complications and death for the mother and her unborn child. Preeclampsia also increases a woman's risk of heart diseases, such as high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke or heart failure, by more than two times later in life. Women with preeclampsia have a higher risk of preterm delivery (giving birth before 37 weeks gestation) or low birth weight babies, and children born to mothers with preeclampsia are also at higher risk of developing high blood pressure and heart disease. Black women are at higher risk of developing preeclampsia, yet research on potential treatments for high-risk women is limited, according to the study researchers. The researchers investigated the potential association of a Mediterranean-style diet among a large group of racially and ethnically diverse women who have a high risk of preeclampsia.