Mothers-to-be, no doubt, are not saving any effort to make sure their babies are to be born healthy and sound. Scientists are helping them at this with a new study. A new research now suggested that mothers who eat a high-fiber diet in pregnancy may lower the risk of celiac disease in their children.
According to Live Science, The study researchers analyzed information from more than 88,000 Norwegian children and their mothers, who gave birth between 1999 and 2009. The mothers were asked about their fiber and gluten intake in their 22nd week of pregnancy, and the children were followed for about 11 years for a diagnosis of celiac disease. The researchers found that mothers with the highest fiber intake — more than 45 grams (1.6 ounces) per day — were 34% less likely to have children diagnosed with celiac disease, compared with mothers with the lowest fiber intake, of less than 19 grams (0.7 ounces) per day.
On his part, study lead author Dr. Ketil Størdal, a research professor at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and a pediatric gastroenterologist at Østfold Hospital Trust in Norway, that findings do not support gluten restriction for pregnant women.
The study waslast Friday at the annual meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN). It has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Celiac disease is a condition in which people's immune systems react to gluten — a protein found in wheat, rye and barley — damaging the lining of the small intestine. Currently, the only way to manage celiac disease is for patients to avoid foods containing gluten for the rest of their lives.
According to the The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, it's recommended that pregnant women eat about 25 grams (0.9 ounces) of fiber per day, the same recommendation as for the general population.
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