Study Reveals Benefits of Mediterranean Diet During Pregnancy for Maternal and Infant Health

A Mediterranean-style diet, characterized by high fiber, vegetable proteins, and healthy fats, has been found to significantly enhance maternal health during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Recent research highlights its role in improving intestinal function and mucosal immunity while preventing fat accumulation and optimizing gut microbiota composition. This dietary pattern has also been linked to a reduction in the incidence and severity of infections in infants.

These findings stem from two studies published in the journal eBioMedicine, funded by La Marató de TV3 (2017). The research was spearheaded by Francisco José Pérez-Cano, a professor at the University of Barcelona's Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, alongside M. Carmen Collado from the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA-CSIC).

The studies, led by researcher Karla Rio Aige, utilized data from the Maternal Microbiome (MAMI) cohort. Through a preclinical model involving animal studies, the research aimed to unravel the mechanisms by which maternal diet influences health outcomes for both mothers and infants.

Nutrition plays a vital role in pregnancy, and establishing optimal dietary habits is crucial for the well-being of both mothers and their children. Despite the known importance of nutrition, the specific mechanisms linking maternal diets to health outcomes remain insufficiently understood.

Maria José Rodríguez Lagunas, part of the research team, emphasized the significance of comprehending how maternal dietary choices affect physiology, noting that these effects can have both short- and long-term implications for mothers and children. She underscored the current gap in research pertaining to the mechanisms that could enhance maternal recovery post-childbirth.

The initial study compared the effects of two distinct diets during gestation and lactation: a Mediterranean-like diet rich in fiber and vegetable protein (D1) and a Western diet (D2) that is higher in animal protein and fats. Researchers analyzed various biological samples to assess the impact of each diet on immune response, lipid metabolism, and microbiota composition.

The results indicated that a Mediterranean-style diet, particularly one enriched with fish oil, soy protein, and inulin, positively influenced lipid metabolism, microbiota composition, and immune responses during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Sustaining this diet during lactation appeared to facilitate maternal recovery from physiological changes associated with pregnancy.

The second study examined how a maternal diet abundant in plant protein, fiber, and polyunsaturated fatty acids could diminish the frequency and severity of infections in infants by modulating gut microbiota's effect on the immune system. This research analyzed both infants and animal models to delve into the importance of maternal nutrition for fostering infant health.

The findings underscore the role of maternal diet in shaping the immune components of breast milk during lactation. Elements such as immunoglobulin A (IgA) and microbiota diversity in human milk are crucial for providing protective benefits against infections in infants.

These studies pave the way for more precise dietary guidelines tailored for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Such guidelines could enhance maternal health and support physiological recovery while simultaneously promoting infant health and reducing infection risks in early life.

Researchers note that future investigations are essential to deepen the understanding of the interplay between maternal diet, bioactive components in breast milk, infant microbiota, and immunity.