compare a pregnancy diet containing with refined grains with a diet with whole grains for effects on the microbiota.. Pregnancy Diet

Dietary whole grain consumption has been postulated to have metabolic benefits.The purpose of this study was to compare a pregnancy diet containing 75% of total carbohydrates as refined grains with a diet of 75% of total carbohydrates as whole grains for outcomes and effects on the microbiota. This was a randomized interventional study of xx pregnant women over the last 4-7 months of normal pregnancy with extensive compliance measures. Both food frequency questionnaires and total plasma alkylresorcinols were used as a measure of wholegrain consumption. Vaginal and anal samples were obtained at the initial obstetrical visit before starting the diet and after 3-7 months on the prescribed diet, for microbiome analyses . The results show show effective compliance to the intervention, and no difference between the diets with regard to maternal weight gain, birth weights and glucose tolerance. However, the microbiome analyses showed a significant decrease in vaginal -and not anal- bacterial alpha diversity in patients consuming the whole grains diet, in the Lactobacillus-dominated.