The investigation was carried out to note the relationship between a Mediterranean food pattern and an unfavorable pregnancy.
In a recent study published in JAMA Network Open (APOs), researchers reported that a Mediterranean diet could lower the probability of developing Acute pulmonary oedema/APO in women. The current multicenter cohort research was conducted between 2010, and 2013. It was done at eight medical institutions in the United States.
The study recruited 10,038 nulliparous females with single live births in their first trimester and following them till delivery.
The Mediterranean Diet emphasizes plant-based foods and healthy fats. You eat mostly veggies, fruits and whole grains. Olive oil is the main source of fat. Research shows the Mediterranean Diet can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease and many other chronic conditions.
Study into Mediterranean diet:
At the initial study visit, sociodemographic, medical, and lifestyle information was collected.
The team used the modified Block 2005 Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) at the initial study visit between six and 13 weeks plus two days of gestation to analyze the diet at the time of conception.
This FFQ examined dietary consumption over the previous three months by asking about the quantity and frequency of consumption of around 120 drinks and food items to estimate the consumption of 35 food categories and 52 nutrients. The pregnant women’s responses to the FFQ were verified.
The conformity to a Mediterranean diet was determined by calculating an alternate Mediterranean diet (aMed) score using the periconceptional diet data supplied by the Block FFQ. Using the nutritional density technique, all dietary parameters were adjusted for optimum energy consumption.
Vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains, seafood, processed and red meats, the ratio of monounsaturated to saturated fat, and alcohol were all included in the aMed score.
Research confirmed the benefits of Mediteranean diet to prevent APO:
The primary research outcome was APO occurrence It was defined as the occurrence of one or more of the following events:
- eclampsia or preeclampsia,
- prenatal hypertension,
- gestational diabetes,
- delivery before term,
- delivery of a small-for-gestational-age infant, or
- stillbirth.
Certain APOs were evaluated in a secondary investigation. A panel of maternal-fetal medical professionals reviewed all of the findings. Low, moderate, and high compliance to a Mediterranean diet around the time of conception predominated at 38.2%, 31.2%, and 30.6%, respectively.
A comparison of categories revealed that females with a higher aMed score were more likely to be non-Hispanic, white, older, married, non-smokers. And they tend to have a higher level of education, and less likely to have an obese category body-mass index (BMI).
Participants with a high aMed score had decreased APO prevalence. And this results in a considerably lower incidence of preterm birth and preeclampsia.
Those with a high aMed score were 21% less likely to acquire any APO than those with a low aMed score in multivariable models. Furthermore, having a high aMed score was associated with a 28% lower risk of eclampsia or preeclampsia. And they had a 37% lower risk of gestational diabetes.
When the components of the aMed score were compared to the primary research result, plant-based diets were shown to be inversely associated with APOs. In particular, Mediterranean diet was linked to a lower risk of developing any APO.
The researchers also discovered no link between the aMed score and the risk of preterm birth, pregnancy hypertension, delivery of a child who is small for gestational age, or stillbirth.
Outcome of the study:
Consumption of fruits, vegetables, and fish was linked to a lower incidence of eclampsia and preeclampsia.
In contrast, higher vegetable consumption and lower consumption of processed and red meat were linked to a decreased chance of gestational diabetes.
More compliance to a Mediterranean diet at conception was associated with a decreased chance of developing any APO. It notably prevented eclampsia/preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. The researchers discovered a dose-response connection,. This imply that women who followed this diet before conception had the lowest risk of getting APOs.
Furthermore, Mediterranean diet and lower consumption of junk food was associated with a decreased incidence of APOs.
Adopting a Mediterranean diet, according to the experts, might be a substantial lifestyle strategy for avoiding APOs.
Parvathy Sukumaran 
