The US researchers’ study emphasises the significance of paying attention to diet both before and after becoming pregnant. It is because the body frequently needs time to heal imbalances or deficiencies.
One of the most prevalent issue of pregnancy is hypertension, or high blood pressure, which can be harmful to both the expectant mother and the growing foetus. Antihypertensive drug use during pregnancy may potentially have a negative impact on the developing baby.
Liping Lu conducted the research as a postdoctoral research scientist at Columbia University. Currenly, Lu is an Assistant Professor at Ball State University.
He said, “Our findings underscore the significance of preconception dietary intake of calcium and zinc in potentially reducing the risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.”
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“Higher intakes of zinc and calcium before conception, derived from diet and supplements, are both associated with a lower risk of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.”
The results were based on data from approximately 7,700 pregnant women in the US from two different studies, one of which examined zinc and the other of which examined calcium.
Compared to women in the lowest quintile, those in the highest quintile for pre-conception calcium intake had a 24% lower risk of developing hypertensive problems during pregnancy.
In terms of zinc, preconception zinc intakes were associated with a 38% lower risk of hypertensive problems during pregnancy compared to lower zinc intakes.
As for observational studies, Lu noted that the results do not necessarily prove causation. However, the findings align with other studies that have linked higher intakes of the two minerals with a lower risk of hypertension-related diseases outside of pregnancy.
The findings will be presented at NUTRITION 2024, the flagship annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition held June 29-July 2 in Chicago.
