Mediterranean Diet and Oxidative Balance During Pregnancy: Molecular Insights into Mitigating the Impact of Environmental Pollution

TL;DR

This review explores how the Mediterranean diet helps manage oxidative stress during pregnancy, especially in the context of environmental pollution.

Contribution

The paper integrates biochemical, molecular, and environmental perspectives to highlight the Mediterranean diet as a nutrigenomic intervention.

Findings

MD bioactives regulate oxidative stress pathways and antioxidant enzyme expression.

MD may counteract oxidative stress from pollutants via redox signaling and detoxification.

Environmental contaminants in some MD foods may reduce its protective effects.

Abstract

Pregnancy represents a period of heightened oxidative demand in which maternal metabolic adaptations are tightly regulated by redox-sensitive molecular pathways. Imbalances in these systems have been associated with gestational complications, impaired placental function, and long-term effects on offspring health. This review examines the molecular mechanisms through which adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) influences oxidative balance during pregnancy. We summarize evidence on how MD-derived bioactives regulate oxidative stress pathways and affect oxidative stress biomarkers, as well as the expression of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. At the same time, certain MD foods containing environmental contaminants may potentially attenuate its protective effects. In addition, the review explores molecular insights into how the MD may counteract oxidative stress induced by environmental pollutants through modulation of redox signaling and detoxification pathways. By integrating biochemical, molecular, and environmental perspectives, this review highlights the MD as a potential nutrigenomic intervention to optimize oxidative balance, support healthy pregnancy outcomes linked to environmental pollution.

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