Eat Differently and Avoid Preeclampsia?

Studies of dietary fiber’s effect on risk for preeclampsia have yielded inconsistent results. In a prospective cohort study, investigators administered a validated food-frequency questionnaire to 1538 women during their first trimester of pregnancy. Demographic characteristics and medical and reproductive histories were determined; nonfasting plasma lipid levels were measured at a mean of 13 weeks’ gestation.

Sixty-four women were identified as having preeclampsia based on medical records. After adjustment for total energy intake, maternal age, race and ethnicity, parity, and prepregnancy BMI, total fiber intake was associated inversely with preeclampsia risk. Women in the highest quartile of fiber consumption (≥21 g daily) were 67% less lik…