Mom's pregnancy diet may disrupt children's gut health

Medical Xpress / Am Physiological Soc / Am Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver ^ | Sept. 16, 2025 | Grant H. Gershner et al

[ConservativeMind]

A high-sugar, high-fat diet during pregnancy may do more than affect a mom's health—it can also trigger inflammation and gut dysfunction in their children, new research suggests. The study found that poor maternal nutrition impairs intestinal barrier function in the next generation.

Researchers studied pregnant nonhuman primates that were fed a high-sugar, high-fat "Western" diet. They analyzed the mothers' blood, RNA and proteins to measure inflammation and cell death. After birth, the researchers examined intestinal tissues from the offspring to evaluate the effect of maternal nutrition on gut health.

The offspring of mothers fed a Western diet showed significantly higher levels of inflammation in their intestinal tissue compared to those whose mothers consumed a healthier diet. This "generalized inflammatory state" may help explain why some children develop gastrointestinal problems later in life. It also highlights the potential for early intervention strategies or therapeutic targets during pregnancy.

Researchers also found increased levels of fat globules—tiny pieces of fat droplets inside fat cells—in the intestines of the offspring exposed to a Western diet. Fat globules may weaken the gut's protective barrier, and they can absorb more of a toxic substance that is released by bacterial cells when they die. This toxin can create inflammation and plays a role in the development of inflammatory bowel conditions.

Overall, this "research examines a currently understudied area of the maternal/fetal relationship," the researchers wrote. Decreased function of the intestinal barrier and increased levels of inflammation can "prime" newborns for a variety of "potential long-term health implications."

[ConservativeMind]

A high fat, high carb diet appears to set up babies to be more inclined to have bowel issues.

[ConservativeMind]

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[rdcbn1]

Why don't any researchers ever do a study of the effects of prenatal alcohol abuse, and drug abuse using meth, fentanyl, heroine, crack , ketamine, pot and the full range of street drugs by baby mommas in the hood on their babies

Call me a cynic, but I'm guessing it's a bit more negative than a diet pancakes and bacon

[Freee-dame]

I do not think that the diet of pancakes and bacon is very harmful. What is really harmful is a diet of highly processed food made largely of sugar and trans fats, not naturally occurring fat from animals.

[dfwgator]

What about pickles and ice cream?

[MayflowerMadam]

I think that for years researchers have done intensive studies on all those things you listed. The fetal alcohol syndrome in babies of alcoholics is especially interesting.

There might be something to this study. My siblings and I all have stomach issues. Mom ate a farmer’s diet — but no alcohol, drugs, or smoking.

[logi_cal869]

I looked:

The study mentions Caesarean not once, meaning there was no correlation to prior studies which analyzed infant microbiome vs natural (vaginal) birth.

The study is a fraudulent use of public research funds.

Sadly, more will come due to hitting all the bullet points under so-called ‘maha’...