Diet alone does not prevent or treat preeclampsia,[1][2] but certain dietary patterns may reduce the risk of developing this condition. In observational studies, diets higher in fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grains, nuts, legumes, olive oil, and fish, and diets lower in ultra-processed foods were associated with reduced risks of preeclampsia.[3] Higher fiber intake (25-30 g/day) and high dietary potassium intake (>4.1 g/day) were also associated with reduced preeclampsia risk.[4] Moreover, fiber (specifically soluble fiber) improves blood markers such as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). This may decrease the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, for which people who have had preeclampsia are at higher risk.[5][6]
However, intervention-based trials have failed to consistently show a benefit of dietary changes in either risk reduction or treatment of preeclampsia.[1][2]
Importantly, sodium (salt) intake is not associated with the development of preeclampsia, despite salt being associated with high blood pressure conditions outside of pregnancy.[7] Therefore, pregnant people with preeclampsia most likely do not need to restrict salt in their diet.
References
- ^Muktabhant B, Lawrie TA, Lumbiganon P, Laopaiboon MDiet or exercise, or both, for preventing excessive weight gain in pregnancy.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2015-Jun-15)
- ^Cantor AG, Jungbauer RM, McDonagh M, Blazina I, Marshall NE, Weeks C, Fu R, LeBlanc ES, Chou RCounseling and Behavioral Interventions for Healthy Weight and Weight Gain in Pregnancy: Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.JAMA.(2021-May-25)
- ^Perry A, Stephanou A, Rayman MPDietary factors that affect the risk of pre-eclampsia.BMJ Nutr Prev Health.(2022)
- ^Ihunnaya O Frederick, Michelle A Williams, Edward Dashow, Mark Kestin, Cuilin Zhang, Wendy M LeisenringDietary fiber, potassium, magnesium and calcium in relation to the risk of preeclampsiaJ Reprod Med.(2005 May)
- ^Qiu C, Coughlin KB, Frederick IO, Sorensen TK, Williams MADietary fiber intake in early pregnancy and risk of subsequent preeclampsia.Am J Hypertens.(2008-Aug)
- ^Brown L, Rosner B, Willett WW, Sacks FMCholesterol-lowering effects of dietary fiber: a meta-analysisAm J Clin Nutr.(1999 Jan)
- ^Duley L, Henderson-Smart D, Meher SAltered dietary salt for preventing pre-eclampsia, and its complications.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2005-Oct-19)