Research shows that eating a pro-inflammatory diet during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth by up to 14%, according to a 2026 study of 10,353 pregnant women in the UK Biobank. Women who ate the most anti-inflammatory foods, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, had significantly lower pregnancy loss rates. Gram Research analysis confirms that dietary inflammation screening during prenatal care could help protect pregnancies, especially for women who smoke, are inactive, or have limited education.
A major study of over 10,000 pregnant women found that eating foods that cause inflammation in the body increases the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. Researchers used a special diet score to measure how inflammatory each woman’s diet was during pregnancy. Women who ate the most anti-inflammatory foods, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, had about 14% lower risk of losing their pregnancy compared to those eating the most inflammatory foods. The study also found that smoking, not exercising, and having less education made these risks even worse. According to Gram Research analysis, optimizing diet during pregnancy could be a simple way to protect both mother and baby.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cohort study of 10,353 pregnant women from the UK Biobank found that those eating the most anti-inflammatory diets had 14% lower risk of miscarriage or stillbirth compared to those eating the most pro-inflammatory diets.
According to research reviewed by Gram, women in the moderately anti-inflammatory diet group had 17% lower risk of abnormal perinatal outcomes, suggesting that even partial dietary improvements during pregnancy offer protection.
The UK Biobank study found that physically inactive women, smokers, and those with lower education had both higher inflammatory diet scores and higher rates of miscarriage and stillbirth, indicating these factors amplify pregnancy risks.
A 2026 analysis of 10,353 pregnancies showed that anti-inflammatory diets containing adequate vitamins, fiber, and healthy fats were associated with protective effects against pregnancy loss across all demographic groups studied.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether eating foods that cause inflammation in the body during pregnancy increases the chances of miscarriage or stillbirth
- Who participated: 10,353 pregnant women from the UK Biobank who had detailed food records from their pregnancies between 2006 and 2019
- Key finding: Women eating the most anti-inflammatory diets had 14% lower risk of miscarriage or stillbirth compared to those eating the most inflammatory diets
- What it means for you: Choosing anti-inflammatory foods during pregnancy, like leafy greens, berries, fish, nuts, and olive oil, may help protect your pregnancy. This is especially important if you’re inactive, smoke, or have limited education, as these factors increase your risk.
The Research Details
Researchers looked at 10,353 pregnant women from a large health database in the UK called the UK Biobank. They collected detailed information about everything these women ate during pregnancy using food diaries. They then created a special score called the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) that measures how much inflammation a diet causes based on 20 different nutrients like fats, vitamins, and fiber.
The researchers divided women into four groups based on their DII scores, from the most anti-inflammatory diet (group 1) to the most pro-inflammatory diet (group 4). They then tracked which women had miscarriages or stillbirths. They also looked at other factors that might affect the results, like age, weight, exercise, income, education, and smoking.
This type of study is called a cohort study, which means researchers follow a group of people over time and track what happens to them. It’s a strong type of study because it can show real-world patterns in large groups of people.
Understanding how diet affects pregnancy outcomes is important because miscarriage and stillbirth are serious health events that affect many families. If diet is a factor, it’s something pregnant women can actually control and change. This study helps doctors understand which dietary changes might help protect pregnancies.
This study is strong because it included over 10,000 women, which is a large sample size. The researchers adjusted their analysis for many other factors that could affect the results, like smoking and exercise. However, the study relied on women remembering what they ate, which can sometimes be inaccurate. Also, the results show association (these things happen together) but don’t prove that diet directly causes the outcomes.
What the Results Show
Women who ate the most anti-inflammatory foods had a 14% lower risk of miscarriage or stillbirth compared to women who ate the most inflammatory foods. This protective effect was consistent across three different statistical models the researchers used, showing the finding was reliable.
When researchers looked at the groups in between, they found that even eating a moderately anti-inflammatory diet (group 2) reduced risk by 17%, and eating a moderately pro-inflammatory diet (group 3) reduced risk by 12%. This suggests that moving toward more anti-inflammatory foods helps at any level.
The study also found that certain groups of women were at higher risk. Women who didn’t exercise, who smoked, and who had less education tended to eat more inflammatory diets AND had higher rates of miscarriage and stillbirth. This suggests these factors work together to increase risk.
When researchers looked at miscarriage and stillbirth separately, both were associated with pro-inflammatory diets. The pattern was the same for both outcomes, suggesting that inflammatory diet affects pregnancy health in multiple ways. The study also showed that lifestyle factors like physical inactivity and smoking made the harmful effects of inflammatory diets even worse.
This is one of the first large studies to look specifically at the Dietary Inflammatory Index during pregnancy and pregnancy loss. Previous research has shown that inflammation in the body is linked to pregnancy problems, and that certain nutrients affect inflammation. This study brings those ideas together and shows the practical impact on real pregnancies in a large group of women.
The study relied on women reporting what they ate, which can be inaccurate. The study was done in the UK, so results might be different in other countries with different food availability. The researchers couldn’t prove that diet directly caused the pregnancy losses, only that they were associated. Some women may have changed their diets after becoming pregnant, which the study couldn’t fully account for. The study also couldn’t measure inflammation directly in the women’s bodies, only estimate it from their food choices.
The Bottom Line
Pregnant women should aim to eat more anti-inflammatory foods including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fatty fish, nuts, seeds, and olive oil. This recommendation has moderate-to-strong evidence from this large study. Women should also avoid smoking, stay physically active, and seek prenatal care. These changes are especially important for women who are inactive, smoke, or have limited access to education about nutrition.
This research is most relevant for women planning pregnancy or currently pregnant. It’s also important for doctors and midwives who advise pregnant women. Women with risk factors like smoking, inactivity, or lower education should pay special attention. This doesn’t mean women with these factors will definitely have problems, just that they may benefit most from dietary improvements.
Diet changes can reduce inflammation in the body within weeks, but pregnancy protection likely develops over months. The best approach is to improve diet before pregnancy if possible, or as early in pregnancy as you can. Benefits likely continue throughout pregnancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What foods reduce inflammation during pregnancy?
Anti-inflammatory foods include leafy greens, berries, fatty fish (salmon, sardines), nuts, seeds, olive oil, whole grains, and legumes. These foods are rich in vitamins, fiber, and healthy fats that reduce inflammation in your body.
Can diet really prevent miscarriage?
Diet is one factor among many. A 2026 study of 10,353 women found anti-inflammatory diets reduced miscarriage risk by 14%, but diet alone doesn’t guarantee pregnancy success. It works best combined with avoiding smoking, staying active, and prenatal care.
What foods cause inflammation during pregnancy?
Pro-inflammatory foods include processed meats, refined grains, sugary drinks, fried foods, and foods high in unhealthy fats. These foods lack the protective nutrients found in whole foods and may increase inflammation markers in your body.
When should I start eating anti-inflammatory foods for pregnancy?
The best time is before pregnancy if possible, but starting as soon as you know you’re pregnant helps too. Research shows inflammation reduction happens within weeks, providing protection throughout pregnancy.
Does smoking make inflammatory diet effects worse during pregnancy?
Yes. The 2026 UK Biobank study found that smokers had higher inflammatory diet scores and higher miscarriage rates. Smoking and pro-inflammatory diets together significantly increase pregnancy risks, making quitting especially important.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily servings of anti-inflammatory foods: leafy greens, berries, fatty fish, nuts, and olive oil. Aim for at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily and 2-3 servings of fatty fish weekly.
- Replace one inflammatory food choice daily with an anti-inflammatory option. For example: swap white bread for whole grain, vegetable oil for olive oil, or processed snacks for nuts and berries.
- Weekly check-in on dietary pattern consistency. Track physical activity minutes (aim for 150 minutes weekly). Monitor mood and energy levels as inflammation decreases. Share dietary improvements with your healthcare provider at prenatal visits.
This research shows an association between diet and pregnancy outcomes but does not prove diet directly causes miscarriage or stillbirth. Many factors affect pregnancy health. Always consult with your doctor or midwife before making significant dietary changes during pregnancy. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have experienced pregnancy loss or have concerns about your pregnancy, speak with your healthcare provider immediately.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.
