Between 1978 and 2008, more than 200,000 babies were conceived in France thanks to in vitro fertilization (IVF). This technique of medically assisted procreation (MAP) consists in causing fertilization outside the human body by bringing together an egg and sperm, then reimplanting the embryos in the uterine cavity of the woman. For “classic” IVF, the chances of pregnancy are around 24.5%.
Good news: researchers at Harokopio University (Greece) may have found a trick to increase this (small) success rate. Indeed, according to a recent study published in the specialized journal Human Reproduction, women who adopt the Mediterranean diet during their IVF journey have, on average, 65% to 68% more chances of conceiving.
To come to this conclusion, the Greek scientists worked with 244 women undergoing IVF aged 22 to 41 years and whose body mass index (BMI) was less than 30. These had to respond regularly to questionnaires concerning their eating habits.
IVF: the Mediterranean diet boosts fertility, especially before the age of 35
Verdict? The researchers observed that participants who adopted the Mediterranean diet had an overall better chance of conceiving and delivering a healthy baby. This beneficial effect was particularly evident in women under the age of 35.
“The message to be taken from our work is that women who wish to conceive via an IVF technique can adopt a balanced diet (for example the Mediterranean diet) in order to maximize their chances of conceiving”, explain the researchers. Who add: “lifestyle habits (such as diet, physical activity, stress …) have a direct link with fertility”.
As a reminder, the Mediterranean diet (which is known to be excellent for health) consists mainly of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, olive oil, oilseeds and fish. On the other hand, the consumption of red meats, alcohol, sugary foods and dairy products is limited.
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