Mediterranean Diet Reduces Risk of Preeclampsia During Pregnancy, Prevents Diabetes and Cancer

The Mediterranean diet is a plant-based meal plan that incorporates the region's traditional flavors and cooking methods. Interest in the Mediterranean diet began in the 1950s because people there rarely have cardiovascular disease compared to the US. Since then, the interest in the diet has grown and numerous research has been conducted.

Now, a new study shows that the Mediterranean diet also reduces the risk of developing preeclampsia during pregnancy, as well as diabetes and cancer. The study further noted that black women appear to have a greater risk reduction.

(Photo : Unsplash/Jex Timms)
Mediterranean Diet Reduces Risk of Preeclampsia During Pregnancy, Prevents Diabetes and Cancer

Composition of Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean diet is a way of eating in Greece, Italy, and other countries in the Mediterranean Sea. According to Mayo Clinic, this traditional plant-based diet includes whole grains, vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices, with olive oil as the main source of added fat.

Fish, seafood, dairy, and poultry are also included but are only taken in moderation. Mackerel, herring, sardines, tuna, and salmon are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that help fight inflammation. On the other hand, red meat and sweets are rarely part of the menu.

Furthermore, wine is often associated with the Mediterranean diet but should only be taken in moderation. Although taking wine may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, too much of it could cause other health risks.

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Mediterranean Diet and Pregnancy

In the study titled "Mediterranean‐Style Diet and Risk of Preeclampsia by Race in the Boston Birth Cohort," published in the Journal of American Heart Association, researchers studied more than 8,500 women between 1998 and 2016 in the Boston Birth Cohort in which the patients' median age at the start was 25 years old and living in predominantly urban, low-income, and underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.

According to The Print, 47% of the participants were Black women, 28% were Hispanic women, and the rest were white women of other races. Researchers formulated a diet score based on the food frequency interviews and questionnaires conducted within three days of giving birth.

They found that 10% of the participants developed preeclampsia, while those with diabetes and pre-diabetes before pregnancy had twice the chance of developing the disease. Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy in which it signals organ damage that may lead to serious or fatal complications for mother and baby.

Meanwhile, the risk of developing preeclampsia is 20% lower among women who follow the Mediterranean diet while pregnant. Black women showed the greatest risk reduction of up to 78% compared to non-Black women who closely adhered to a Mediterranean-style diet.

Researchers noted that they did not expect the results, but they were thrilled about the positive effects of the Mediterranean diet on pregnant women.

Aside from preeclampsia, previous studies also found that a Mediterranean diet lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and cancer by 2%.

The team concludes that women should follow a healthy lifestyle, including having a Mediterranean diet and regular exercise in all stages of their lives. Eating healthy regularly could have positive effects on their future cardiovascular health.