Work

Impact of Mediterranean Diet Adherence in Early Pregnancy on Nausea, Vomiting, and Constipation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Common maternal digestive symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation during pregnancy, can impair pregnant women's quality of life. The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), characterized by a high consumption of olive oil, vegetables, fruits, legumes, and grains; moderate fish and dairy intake; and low meat consumption, could alleviate these symptoms. This study aims to study the prevalence of maternal digestive symptoms in the different pregnancy trimesters and to examine the association between baseline MedDiet adherence and the prevalence of maternal digestive symptoms during pregnancy. METHODS: and 32nd Gestational Week (GW). MedDiet adherence was appraised through a 13-item questionnaire and categorized into low, medium, and high adherence. Digestive symptoms were assessed by the Pregnancy Symptoms Inventory. The association between baseline MedDiet adherence and maternal digestive symptoms was evaluated through adjusted multinomial analysis. RESULTS: Differences among MedDiet adherence categories were considerable during pregnancy. Some of the greatest decreases were observed in high adherence to MedDiet in comparison with low MedDiet adherence at 32nd GW vs. 19th GW for the prevalence of nausea (10.0% vs. 18.8%, p < 0.001) and vomiting (5.0% vs. 8.7%, p < 0.001). Constipation remained during pregnancy. There was no significant association between the baseline MedDiet adherence and maternal gastrointestinal symptoms. CONCLUSION FOR PRACTICE: Baseline adherence to the MedDiet was not proven to influence nausea, vomiting, and constipation during pregnancy. For all MedDiet adherence groups, nausea and vomiting prevalence decreased throughout pregnancy, but not constipation.

Source: Maternal and Child Health Journal

DOI: 10.1007/s10995-025-04078-7

Authors: Isabel Barroso-Ruiz, Naomi Cano-Ibáñez, Rebeca Benito-Villena, Sandra Martín-Peláez, Carmen Amezcua-Prieto

Institutions: Universidad de Granada, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves

Language: English

Topic: Nutritional Studies and Diet

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,590