The Influence of Maternal Diet in Late Pregnancy on Malondialdehyde and Cortisol Levels in Maternal and Cord Blood

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Research suggests that diet influences oxidative stress status in pregnant women and is related to their stress and depressive symptoms. This study aimed to investigate how maternal diet during late pregnancy affects oxidative stress status, maternal stress, depression, and fetal physical development. <b>Methods:</b> This study included 58 mother-child pairs. Dietary intake, depressive symptoms, and clinical information were obtained through questionnaires and clinical records. Maternal and cord blood concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), paraoxonase-1, platelet activating factor-acetylhydrolase, and cortisol were measured using spectrophotometric and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. <b>Results:</b> Maternal serum MDA levels were inversely associated with nut consumption (β = -0.40, <i>p</i> = 0.01) and positively associated with vitamin B2 (β = 2.43, <i>p</i> = 0.04) and manganese intake (β = 0.44, <i>p</i> = 0.02). Fruit consumption was positively associated with Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale score (β = 0.35, <i>p</i> = 0.03). Intakes of beans (β = -3.37, <i>p</i> = 0.04), vitamin B1 (β = -738.92, <i>p</i> = 0.04), vitamin B6 (β = -562.21, <i>p</i> = 0.04), vitamin C (β = -4.75, <i>p</i> = 0.009), iron (β = -106.63, <i>p</i> = 0.03), and copper (β = -863.31, <i>p</i> = 0.01) were inversely associated with maternal serum cortisol level, whereas dairy intake (β = 1.45, <i>p</i> = 0.003) showed a positive association. Cord plasma cortisol levels were inversely associated with the consumption of other vegetables (β = -2.89, <i>p</i> = 0.02). <b>Conclusions:</b> The findings encourage further research towards the refinement of dietary guidelines for pregnant women and recommendations for expecting mothers.