Chemicals in Women’s Diets May Affect IVF Success

Preliminary data from 2 new studies show that chemicals in women’s diets may affect IVF success rates.  This data was recently presented at the American Society of Reproductive Medicine’s Scientific Congress.  It showed that pesticides, artificial sweeteners, and sugar in women’s diets can negatively affect their chances of conceiving a pregnancy with IVF.

Researchers in Boston looked at their patients’ IVF success rates in relation to their intake of fruits and vegetables known to have higher or lower pesticide residues.  Women who consumed the most high-pesticide fruits and vegetables had the lowest chance of live birth and the highest risk of miscarriage.  Women who consumed the least high-pesticide fruits and vegetables had the highest chance of success with IVF and lowest risk of miscarriage.  Eating fruits and vegetables with low to moderate pesticide residues had no affect on IVF outcomes.

Researchers in Brazil found that both sugar and artificial sweeteners consumed in soft drinks and in coffee had negative affects on egg and/or embryo quality.  They also found that consumption of diet soft drinks reduced implantation and pregnancy rates.  Unsweetened coffee had no impact on egg quality, implantation, or chance of pregnancy.

Both studies provide support for maintaining a healthy diet during fertility treatment.  At my office at Reproductive Partners in Orange County, we agree that a healthy diet and lifestyle is important for achieving fertility success. For more information about lifestyle and fertility visit: https://www.reproductivepartners.com/fertility-education/lifestyle-fertility.html.