In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a long obstacle course and as much to put all the chances of success on its side. diet may be a plus. New work, carried out by Greek researchers, shows that young women who follow a so-called “Mediterranean” diet during the six months preceding IVF, are more likely to have a baby. Explanations.
Adopt a new diet to have a baby. Researchers from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Harokopio University in Athens, Greece, interviewed with a standardized questionnaire a sample of women who were going to have in vitro fertilization (IVF), in order to know the details of their food. In a study, published in Human Reproduction, the benchmark review of the specialty, they find that those who eat more fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, olive oil, and less red meat, have between 65% and 68% more chances of having a baby.
A good diet analysis
In total, at least one embryo was implanted in the uterus of 229 women: for 138 of them (56%) the implantation of the embryo was successful and resulted in pregnancy in 104 of these women (42 , 6%) and 99 (40.5%) gave birth to a live baby.
“The important message from our study is that women who have infertility issues should eat healthy because a better balanced diet can help them increase their chances of pregnancy and having a baby.“, says Professor Yiannakouris, lead author of the study.
Not a magic formula
The team specifies that these results cannot be generalized to all women who seek to have a child, nor to obese women. The researchers point out that these results only show that a Mediterranean diet improves the chances of IVF. More studies are needed to elucidate the exact role of diet type in the success of assisted reproduction, as well as to reveal the underlying mechanisms and develop nutritional recommendations.
”As more and more couples face infertility issues and seek access to assisted reproduction techniques, it is essential that they also receive counseling on the importance of diet and adopt a lifestyle. healthy”, Concludes Professor Yiannakouris.
The Mediterranean diet has long been recognized as having benefits on cardiovascular health, but this is the first time that a benefit has been shown on the chances of success in IVF.
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