Researchers have conducted a comprehensive Danish study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, analyzing the link between maternal diet during pregnancy and how it affects children’s long-term health outcomes.
The study draws on data from 67,701 mothers and their children from the large-scale Danish cohort Better Health in Generations.
Mothers completed detailed dietary questionnaires, which allowed researchers to calculate an 'inflammation score' indicating how strongly a diet may promote inflammation in the body.
Foods typically associated with higher inflammation include fast food, red meat, soft drinks, ready-made meals, and sweets.
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In contrast, fruits, nuts, fish, and berries are linked to lower inflammation.
By combining dietary data with national health registry information, the researchers were able to identify associations between maternal eating patterns and the child’s later risk of disease.
An unexpected connection
The analysis revealed that children of mothers who consumed an inflammatory diet during pregnancy had a 16 percent higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes before the age of 18.
A high intake of gluten also appeared to increase the risk.
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Paradoxically, the study found that children of mothers who smoked during pregnancy had a lower risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
However, researchers emphasize that this does not mean smoking is protective.
They strongly discourage smoking during pregnancy, as it can lead to numerous other health complications for the child.
According to Netdoktor, smoking while pregnant increases the risk of premature birth and low birth weight, with the risk rising proportionally to the number of cigarettes smoked. It also raises the likelihood of stillbirth.
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When the immune system goes astray
Professor and chief physician Flemming Pociot from Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen explains that the findings are biologically plausible.
The child’s immune system develops during pregnancy, and if the body is exposed to chronic inflammation during this period, it may disrupt immune development.
This can cause the immune system to later attack the body’s own cells, including the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, leading to type 1 diabetes.
Although researchers are not yet ready to issue specific dietary guidelines, they emphasize that maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy likely helps protect the child’s long-term health.
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This article is based on information from Netdoktor.dk, Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Better Health in Generations, and Netdoktor.dk.
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