Clinical Research Directory

Effects of Diet on Perinatal Mood and Cognition

Sponsor: University of Reading

Summary

The baby blues are a significant event which can occur immediately following childbirth and is a normal experience occurring in up to 76% of new mothers, characterised by mood swings, irritability and sadness typically lasting 10-14 days. Research suggests that the more severe and longer duration of the baby blues, the higher risk of later postnatal mood disorders. Therefore, this represents a critical period which could benefit from an intervention which may prevent symptom onset or an increase in the severity of mood disorders later in the postpartum. Evidence suggests that consumption of flavonoid rich foods can improve physical health, mood and cognition. Prior research investigating flavonoid intervention in mothers in the first 6 months and 1 year postpartum found significant benefits to mood in the new mothers after daily flavonoid supplementation, showing promise for the management of mood in a key period for mothers, where risk of Postnatal Depression (PND) is high. The immediate postpartum also represents a period of cognitive changes reported to affect up to 80% of new mothers. In addition, women during this time are at an increased risk of high blood pressure and hypertension, which is thought to be a risk factor for the onset and severity of depressive symptoms and cognitive decrements. Flavonoids have been reported to improve cognition and cardiovascular health, therefore, introducing a flavonoid intervention could have benefits to cognition and blood pressure in new mothers. The aim of the current study will be to explore whether the implementation of a high flavonoid diet across a 30-day period will positively affect maternal mental health, cognition and blood pressure. Participants will be assigned to one of three groups; high or low flavonoid diet or a control condition for 30-days, starting at days 0-4 after birth. They will have visits from the researcher at 6 separate time points between the third trimester and 12 weeks postpartum. At each visit, participants will be asked to complete mood questionnaires (PANAS-NOW), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale (PSAS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale- Partner (EPDS-P) followed by a cognitive battery (MANT, RAVLT, PRMQ) and blood pressure recordings (systolic and diastolic blood pressure). Between visits, participants will be contacted by the researcher to record retrospective 24hr food recalls (Intake24).

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