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A Mediterranean-style weight-reduction plan, wealthy in fiber, vegetable proteins and wholesome fat, advantages maternal well being throughout being pregnant and breastfeeding. Along with bettering intestinal perform and mucosal immunity, it additionally prevents fats accumulation and optimizes the composition of the microbiota within the digestive system. In infants, this maternal dietary sample helps to scale back the incidence and severity of infections.
These conclusions come from two research revealed within the journal eBioMedicine, carried out with the help of La Marató de TV3 (2017). The analysis was collectively led by Francisco José Pérez-Cano, professor on the School of Pharmacy and Meals Sciences of the College of Barcelona and director of the Diet and Meals Security Analysis Institute (INSA-UB), primarily based on the UB’s Torribera Meals Campus, and the knowledgeable M. Carmen Collado, from the Institute of Agrochemistry and Meals Know-how (IATA-CSIC).
Led by researcher Karla Rio Aige (INSA-UB) as first writer, the research, coordinated globally by the UB, used knowledge from the MAMI (Maternal Microbiome) cohort to establish related observations. Researchers additionally developed a preclinical mannequin with animal fashions utilizing the diets detected within the cohort with the intention of understanding the mechanisms of motion concerned.
Diet and mother-child well being: Many open questions
A balanced weight-reduction plan and a wholesome life-style and habits are vital for good well being in being pregnant. Subsequently, establishing optimum dietary habits throughout being pregnant, lactation and adolescence is essential for the well being and well-being of mom and child. Nevertheless, the related mechanisms linking maternal weight-reduction plan to maternal and toddler well being outcomes are nonetheless poorly understood.
María José Rodríguez Lagunas, a member of the venture’s analysis group and of the UB’s Division of Biochemistry and Physiology, notes that understanding how maternal weight-reduction plan influences mom and toddler physiology “is crucial, as its effects extend to short- and long-term outcomes for both mother and child.” Nevertheless, she provides that “there is a notable lack of research on the underlying mechanisms, particularly those that could improve the physiological recovery of the mother after childbirth.”
The primary examine, on the preclinical stage, in contrast the results of two completely different diets throughout gestation and lactation on microbiota composition, immunity and lipid metabolism: the Mediterranean-like D1 weight-reduction plan, wealthy in fiber and vegetable protein, and a Western D2 weight-reduction plan, richer in animal protein and fat.
Throughout the dietary intervention, numerous organic samples had been analyzed to see the results of every weight-reduction plan on the epithelial barrier, lipid metabolism, microbiota composition, metabolites and immunity.
Maternal weight-reduction plan results on intestinal morphometry and intestinal barrier perform at L21. Credit score: eBioMedicine (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105784
“The results reveal that a diet similar to the Mediterranean diet and enriched with fish oil, soya protein and inulin has beneficial effects on lipid metabolism, the composition of the microbiota and the immune response during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and improves maternal health,” says Professor Francisco J. Pérez-Cano.
“Furthermore, if this diet is maintained during breastfeeding, it seems to more effectively reverse the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy, supporting immune function and limiting fat accumulation,” provides the knowledgeable.
Bettering little one well being by way of maternal weight-reduction plan
The second examine reveals {that a} maternal weight-reduction plan wealthy in plant protein, fiber and polyunsaturated fatty acids reduces the severity and frequency of infections in infants by way of the modulating impact of intestine microbiota on the immune system.
The examine, carried out on infants and animal fashions, analyzes the impact of maternal weight-reduction plan on the well being of offspring and reinforces the significance of maternal vitamin throughout being pregnant and lactation to strengthen toddler well being. The synergy of the INSA-UB and IATA-CSIC groups—establishments acknowledged with the María de Maeztu and Severo Ochoa seals of excellence, respectively—was key to acquiring the outcomes.
On this context, the affect of the maternal weight-reduction plan emerges as a key issue within the composition of the defensive components of milk throughout lactation. As important components, immunoglobulin A (IgA) in human milk and the variety of the microbiota show their protecting position towards infections in infants.
These research present new insights which will result in extra exact dietary tips for pregnant and breastfeeding ladies. On the one hand, they’d assist to strengthen the well being of moms and help their physiological restoration, and then again, they’d defend toddler improvement within the early phases of life by decreasing the chance of infections, thus supporting the well-being of infants.
“The study may also help to better understand the relationship between maternal diet, bioactive components of breast milk, infant microbiota and infant immunity. In the future, further research will be necessary to obtain more solid conclusions and better understand the mechanisms involved,” conclude consultants M. Carmen Collado and Francisco José Pérez-Cano.
Extra data:
Karla Rio-Aige et al, A weight-reduction plan wealthy in fibre and vegetable protein throughout gestation and lactation shapes maternal immunity, intestinal microbiota and lipid metabolism, eBioMedicine (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105784
Karla Rio-Aige et al, Maternal weight-reduction plan shapes toddler microbiota and defensive capability towards infections in adolescence by way of differential human milk composition, eBioMedicine (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105850
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