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If olive oil is renowned for its cardiovascular properties, it would also be beneficial during pregnancy according to researchers.
Olive oil combines the benefits. Rich in omega 9 and antioxidants, it helps prevent many cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. But it would also be beneficial for pregnant women and fetuses. This is at least what emerges from a new scientific study, published in the journal Nutrition Research.
Olive oil: less risk of gestational diabetes
As part of this investigation, scientists worked on 6 studies based on controlled experiments and 3 observational research. These brought together between 30 and more than 35,530 pregnant women.
According to the analysis of the data collected, the researchers showed that olive oil – especially extra virgin oil – would reduce complications during pregnancy.
The risks of preeclampsia (a disease of pregnancy that combines hypertension and protein in the urine) and gestational diabetes thus seemed to be lower in pregnant women who consumed it.
These effects would be explained by the polyphenols contained in olive oil, which would increase sensitivity to insulin (a hormone that helps maintain blood sugar levels at normal levels).
Finally, the antioxidants in the oil would reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia.
Olive oil is also beneficial for infants
Still according to the study, olive oil would make it possible to fight against the problems of measurement of infants (babies too big or too small).
“Our systematic review suggests that olive oil consumption may confer protective effects on pregnancy outcomes, particularly by decreasing the risk of small or large infants, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and maternal cardiovascular risk. “conclude the authors of the study.
Nevertheless, they admit that “more studies investigating the impact of olive oil consumption on decreasing the possibility of adverse maternal-fetal effects are still needed.“.