OBJECTIVE

To compare dietary magnesium intake and magnesium concentrations in serum, red blood cells (RBC) and urine during pregnancy of women habitually following a long-term plant-based diet and of women following an average Western (control) diet.

DESIGN

Prospective study during pregnancy.

SETTING

Giessen, Germany.

SUBJECTS

Healthy pregnant women (n=108) in their 9-12th, 20-22nd and 36-38th gestational week habitually following a plant-based diet for more than 3 y or an average Western diet. The vegetarians were subdivided into ovo-lacto vegetarians (n=27) and low-meat eaters (n=43).

RESULTS

Significant higher dietary magnesium intakes were observed in pregnant women consuming a plant-based diet (508+/-14 mg/day for ovo-lacto vegetarians, P<0.001 and 504+/-11 mg/day for low-meat eaters, P<0.001) than in pregnant women consuming a control diet (412+/-9 mg/day). Serum magnesium concentrations were similar in all diet groups whereas RBC magnesium was slightly higher in low-meat eaters than in controls (P=0.058). Urinary magnesium excretion was higher in ovo-lacto vegetarians (P=0.023), followed by low-meat eaters (P=0.017) when compared to the control group. During the third trimester of pregnancy, the frequency and the occurrence of calf cramps was lower in the plant-based diet group than in the control group (P=0.004 and 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Owing to a higher dietary magnesium intake confirmed by higher urinary magnesium excretion, habitual plant-based diets result in a slightly improved magnesium status during pregnancy and reduce the frequency of calf cramps during the third trimester of pregnancy compared to an average Western diet. Therefore, plant-based diets during pregnancy can be recommended with regard to magnesium supply.