THE risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in offspring can be significantly reduced with a high-fibre diet during pregnancy, according to research by Monash University.
Published in Circulation Research, the study highlights the powerful link between maternal diet and long-term heart health in children.
"Fibre, found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, benefits not only the mother but also shapes her child's heart development," commented lead researcher Prof Francine Marques.
"Our work also sheds light on how fibre exerts its protective effects across generations," Marques explained.
"Fibre promotes the production of beneficial molecules called short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the gut.
"These SCFAs travel through the mother's bloodstream and cross the placenta during development, where they can influence gene activity in the heart, leading to healthier heart development."
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