Environmental News Network - Pregnant Women Are Missing Vital Nutrients Needed for Them and Their Babies – And Situation Could Worsen With Plant-Based Foods

Details: By University of Southampton; 07.Dec

Pregnant women are not getting the essential nutrients they and their babies need from modern diets say scientists, who have warned that the situation will likely worsen as more people turn to plant-based foods.

Julie Swatson

Pregnant women are not getting the essential nutrients they and their babies need from modern diets say scientists, who have warned that the situation will likely worsen as more people turn to plant-based foods.

A study looking at the health of expecting mothers from high-income countries, including the UK, New Zealand and Singapore, found that 90 per cent were lacking key vitamins necessary for healthy pregnancies and the wellbeing of unborn infants.

Scientists from the University of Southampton, working with experts worldwide, surveyed more than 1,700 women and found most were missing essential nutrients found in abundance in meat and dairy products.

These included vitamins B12, B6 and D, folic acid and riboflavin which are essential for the development of foetuses in the womb.

Magazine menu

Pregnant Women Are Missing Vital Nutrients Needed for Them and Their Babies – And Situation Could Worsen With Plant-Based Foods