Diet high in fruit and vegetables can slash miscarriage risk by almost two-thirds, study finds

By Liam On Apr 19, 2023

Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of miscarriage by as much as 61 percent, research suggests.

Women who ate a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, seafood, dairy products, eggs and grains had a lower risk of miscarriage than those who ate the least.

And those whose diets were high in processed foods — such as lots of cereals, junk foods, and anything altered from its natural state — were at double risk.

Experts believe that anti-inflammatory foods and foods rich in antioxidants — usually found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains — can help maintain a healthy pregnancy.

Meanwhile, those known to cause inflammation — such as red meat, processed foods, and refined carbohydrates like white bread — increase the risk of miscarriage.

Women who ate a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, seafood, dairy products, eggs, and grains had a lower risk of miscarriage than those who ate the least (stock image)

Researchers at the University of Birmingham, funded by Tommy’s, analyzed 20 studies involving more than 60,000 women that examined eating habits in the months before and shortly after conception.

The review found that, compared to low consumption, high fruit intake was associated with a 61 percent reduction in the risk of miscarriage.

Those who ate the most vegetables had a 41 percent lower risk of miscarriage, compared to those who ate the lowest amounts. For dairy products it is a discount of 37 percent, for grains 33 percent and for seafood and eggs 19 percent.

Researchers also looked at whether predefined diet types, such as the Mediterranean diet or the fertility diet, could also be associated with the risk of miscarriage. They couldn’t find evidence that following any of these diets lowered or increased the risk.

However, a complete diet that includes generally healthy foods, or foods that are high in antioxidants and low in pro-inflammatory foods or unhealthy food groups, may be associated with a reduction in women’s risk of miscarriage.

HOW COMMON ARE MISCARRIAGES?

A miscarriage is the failure of a pregnancy during the first 23 weeks.

Vaginal bleeding followed by cramps and abdominal pain are the most common symptoms.

Many miscarriages go unreported because they are often treated at home. But it’s thought that one in eight pregnancies ends with the loss of the baby.

Many more happen before a person is aware they are pregnant.

Losing three or more pregnancies in a row is uncommon, affecting about one percent of women.

Doctors believe that most of them occur due to abnormal chromosomes in the baby.

In most cases, miscarriage is a one-time event and people have successful pregnancies in the future.

Most miscarriages cannot be prevented. But avoiding smoking, drinking alcohol, and using drugs during pregnancy lowers the risk.

Having a healthy weight before getting pregnant and eating a healthy diet can also help.

Those who miscarry are usually referred to the hospital for an ultrasound.

If one has occurred, it will often pass out naturally within one or two weeks. Sometimes medication is used to help the tissue pass or minor surgery may be performed.

Source: health service

According to findings in the journal Fertility and Sterility, a diet high in processed foods was found to be associated with a doubling of the risk of miscarriage.

Lead author Dr Yealin Chung said: ‘There is growing evidence showing that lifestyle changes – including changes in diet, stopping smoking and not drinking alcohol – before you become pregnant and in the early stages of your pregnancy – can have an impact .

“We strongly encourage couples to consider the importance of making positive lifestyle choices when planning a family, and to continue making these healthy choices throughout their pregnancy and beyond.

“Knowing that positive lifestyle choices can make a significant difference in reducing the risk of miscarriage can help couples feel empowered to take charge of their health and the health of their baby.”

Miscarriage is common, with estimates suggesting that 1 in 6 pregnancies end in miscarriage. There are many known causes, from problems with the baby’s chromosomes to infections in the womb.

But since nearly half of early pregnancy losses go unexplained, parents often seek advice on how to reduce the risk of future miscarriages.

Juliette Ward, a midwife who works for Tommy’s, said the findings suggest miscarriages can be prevented through dietary guidelines, but more research is needed.

She said: ‘Nutrition advice is one of the most discussed topics for us when we talk to pregnant women and people in labour.

“We know that baby loss is very rarely the result of a person’s lifestyle choices, but many people want to know how to be as healthy as possible during pregnancy.

“Eating a healthy diet, taking supplements such as vitamin D and folic acid, exercising, and reducing stress are all things people can try, but there is a lack of clear evidence about the links between dietary choices and miscarriage.

“Given this lack of evidence, there are no evidence-based guidelines with dietary advice for women and those in labor or their partners – something the findings of this review suggest could have a real impact in helping people reduce their risk.” .’