Читать книгу Double Trouble: Twins and How to Survive Them - Emma Mahony - Страница 26

Recent research⁶ also suggests that eating plenty of fruit and veg before and during pregnancy may protect against pre-eclampsia. This condition, which is a little more common in twin pregnancies and often appears in the final stages of pregnancy, is characterized by high blood pressure and swelling (my midwife always used to tell me ‘if you can’t get your wedding band off, call me’). Pre-eclampsia is a treatable but serious concern for pregnant mothers, and can sometimes necessitate an early delivery. It has to be monitored because, left untreated, it can eventually affect the function of liver and kidneys. Routine urine tests during pregnancy check for a type of protein which indicates pre-eclampsia.

New research shows that an underlying factor in pre-eclampsia is damage to blood vessels caused by destructive molecules called free radicals. In theory, upping the intake of nutrients that combat free-radical damage – such as vitamin C, found naturally in fruit and veg – may help to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia. Another reason to gorge yourself at the greengrocers.