The following is a summary of “Mediterranean diet and female reproductive health over lifespan: a systematic review and meta-analysis,” published in the DECEMBER 2023 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology by Yang, et al.
For a study, researchers sought to conduct a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of the Mediterranean diet on various female reproductive health outcomes throughout different stages of life.
The systematic review and meta-analysis encompassed a total of 32 studies, which included 9 randomized controlled trials, 22 prospective cohort studies, and 1 nested case-control study. It’s notable that the majority of the participants across these studies were predominantly White women, accounting for over 95% of the study population. This provided a diverse yet predominantly homogeneous demographic for analysis. The results from randomized controlled trials revealed several notable findings during pregnancy outcomes. Firstly, there was a significant decrease in the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus, with a relative risk of 0.74 (95% CI: 0.55–0.99).
Moreover, the risk of preterm birth was notably reduced, showing a relative risk of 0.45 (95% CI: 0.26–0.76). Additionally, the potential risk for gestational hypertension saw a relative risk of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.51–1.00). However, concerning preeclampsia, the findings were inconclusive, showing a relative risk of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.54–1.22). Interestingly, the timing of interventions appeared to influence outcomes, with interventions initiated in the first trimester showing more pronounced effects on preterm birth than those initiated later (P heterogeneity = .02). When considering fertility and gestational weight management, the evidence from the cohort studies presented inverse associations across various pregnancy outcomes. Furthermore, the analysis suggested a potential beneficial association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and fertility, as well as positive effects on gestational weight management. Beyond pregnancy, the review provided insights into other reproductive outcomes. Some limited evidence hinted at the Mediterranean diet potentially delaying menarche. However, the associations with polycystic ovary syndrome-like phenotype and pregnancy loss remained inconclusive. Notably, a positive relationship was observed between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and luteal phase deficiency.
The comprehensive analysis underscored the potential benefits of consistent adherence to the Mediterranean diet in reducing the risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes, especially within predominantly White populations. While evidence leans towards favorable outcomes in fertility-related aspects, there remains a need for more extensive research to draw definitive conclusions across various reproductive stages and outcomes.