The importance of good nutrition during pregnancy cannot be stressed enough.
A new prospective cohort study has followed over 11,000 women in the Nurses’ Health Study II (with its predecessor, the Nurses’ Health Study, among the largest investigations into the risk factors for major chronic diseases in women) to investigate the impact of pre-pregnancy plant-based diets (PBD) and hypertension (HDP) in pregnancy, while accounting for the quality of plant-based foods.
The study found higher adherence to PBD was associated with a lower risk of developing HDP, including preeclampsia and gestational hypertension (GHTN).
Here is yet another reason to advise an increased number of plants (veggies, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes) on our preconception and pregnant patients’ plates daily, whether going fully plant-based or not.
I hope you have found this helpful, and do let me know if you have any questions!
If you are hungry for more evidence-based information for your fertility or pregnancy journey, visit www.myhealthypregnancyplan.com for free webinars and complete programs.
And if you are a care-provider looking for evidence-based resources for your fertility or pregnancy patients, please get in touch with us at support@myhealthypregnancyplan.com, or visit www.myhealthypregnancyplan.com/ce-courses-for-naturopathic-doctors.
In health,
Dr Jocelyn Land-Murphy, ND
Terra Life
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References:
Mitsunami, M. et al. (2023). Pre-pregnancy plant-based diets and risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.