A balanced diet is a key component of everyone's health. Everyone knows that a daily diet should contain sufficient protein and fiber, and be balanced in terms of vitamins, micro- and macronutrients. But is there a diet that affects the frequency of pregnancy?
According to the American Nurses Health Study II, the consumption of trans fats, low-fat dairy products, animal protein, soft drinks, and foods with a high glycemic index (fast carbohydrates) was associated with a higher risk of anovulatory infertility, while increased intake of folic acid, non-heme iron (iron found in plant-based foods), high-fat dairy products, and vegetable protein were associated with a lower risk of this condition. The combination of these dietary factors into a single dietary regimen was associated with a 66% reduction in the risk of anovulatory infertility, as well as a 28% lower risk of all other causes of infertility.
There is another study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2019 that evaluated the effect of diet on the percentage of pregnancy in women using assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The study found that a greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet (high intake of vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy products, olive oil, fish, and poultry) or the Dutch diet (high intake of whole grains, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated oils, vegetables, fruits, meat or meat substitutes, and fish) was associated with higher rates of positive pregnancy tests after in vitro fertilization.
Unfortunately, other cohort studies have not found a link between specific diets and pregnancy rates. However, there is solid evidence that lifestyle modification, weight normalization, and dosed physical activity have a direct impact on pregnancy rates. It is also important to take folic acid at the stage of pregnancy planning, as well as to correct iron and vitamin D deficiency.
Therefore, in order to increase your chances of getting pregnant, it is enough to follow simple rules: lead a healthy lifestyle, eat well, exercise and give up bad habits.
Sources of information
American Society for Reproductive Medicine "OPTIMIZING NATURAL FERTILITY: A COMMITTEE OPINION", 2022;
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee Opinion №762 "Prepregnancy Counseling", 2019;
"Nurses Health Study II", 2016;
Gaskins AJ, Nassan FL, Chiu YH, Arvizu M, Williams PL, Keller MG, et al. Dietary patterns and outcomes of assisted reproduction. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2019
