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NEWS THAT’S GOOD FOR YOU
better diet means safer pregnancy Eating a Mediterranean-style diet while pregnant may help reduce the risk of a severe condition called preeclampsia. The condition includes severe high blood pressure and liver or kidney damage, sometimes leading to death of the mother or the unborn child. The Mediterranean diet is high in fruit and vegetables, legumes, olive oil, nuts, whole grains, and fish. A new study in the Journal of the American Heart Association examined the role of diet in preventing preeclampsia in a racially diverse group of more than 8,500 women with an average age of 25. They found that about 10 percent of the women developed preeclampsia. Obesity and any form of diabetes contributed to higher rates of the condition. The overall risk was about 20 percent lower for women who followed the Mediterranean diet. “Eating healthy foods regularly, including vegetables, fruits, and legumes, is especially important for women during pregnancy,” said researcher Anum S. Minhas, MD. “Their health during pregnancy affects their future cardiovascular health and also impacts their baby’s health.” SOURCE “Following a Mediterranean-style diet during pregnancy may reduce the risk of preeclampsia,” Journal of the American Heart Association, 4/20/22
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