Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Pregnancy and Its Benefits on Maternal-Fetal Health: A Systematic Review of the Literature

IntroductionPregnancy is a transcendent period for the mother and the fetus, characterized by an increase on energy requirements. Mediterranean diet (MD) is considered a healthy eating pattern that can provide the nutritional requirements of pregnancy and protect from the development of obstetric pa...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ana Zaragoza-Martí, Nuria Ruiz-Ródenas, Irene Herranz-Chofre, Miriam Sánchez-SanSegundo, Verónica de la Cruz Serrano Delgado, Jose Antonio Hurtado-Sánchez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2022-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Nutrition
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.813942/full
Description
Summary:IntroductionPregnancy is a transcendent period for the mother and the fetus, characterized by an increase on energy requirements. Mediterranean diet (MD) is considered a healthy eating pattern that can provide the nutritional requirements of pregnancy and protect from the development of obstetric pathologies.ObjectiveTo know the relationship between adherence to the MD and its maternal-fetal benefits.MethodologyA systematic review was conducted by identifying articles in the PubMed and Cochrane databases. The publication date of the studies was between 2010 and 2020, and the inclusion criteria established were that the articles were written in English and Spanish and were accessible in full text. Studies concerning assisted reproduction, gene modulation, conference abstracts, systematic reviews, and pilot studies were excluded.ResultsFinally, a total of 14 studies were included in the review. The association between the MD and the reduction of some pathologies of pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, overweight or obesity, sleep quality, complications of childbirth, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and alterations in fetal growth was demonstrated, as well as perinatal problems, including birth weight, prematurity, gastroschisis, and other childhood problems.ConclusionThe MD is an optimal diet to consume during pregnancy.
ISSN:2296-861X