Dietary Patterns and Bacterial Vaginosis: is there any association? Original paper

What was Studied?

Researchers investigated how dietary acid load and adherence to the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) affect bacterial vaginosis (BV) risk. They aimed to determine whether dietary patterns and acid-producing foods influence the vaginal microbiome and BV prevalence.

Who was Studied?

The study included 143 women diagnosed with BV and 151 healthy controls, aged 18–45, from a gynecology clinic in Tehran, Iran. Researchers assessed dietary intake using a validated food frequency questionnaire and diagnosed BV using the Amsel criteria.

Most Important Findings

A high AHEI score significantly lowered BV risk. Women in the highest AHEI tertile had a 75% lower chance of developing BV. Consuming more vegetables, nuts, legumes, and unprocessed meats further reduced BV odds. In contrast, high intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages, trans fats, and sodium increased BV risk by up to three times.

Dietary acid load, measured by potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP), showed no significant link to BV. This suggests that overall diet quality, rather than dietary acid-base balance, plays a more critical role in BV risk.

Microbiome analysis linked high AHEI adherence to a Lactobacillus-dominant vaginal environment, which protects against BV. In contrast, poor dietary choices promoted the growth of BV-associated bacteria such as Gardnerella vaginalis, Atopobium spp., and Prevotella spp..

Implications of the Study

Diet quality directly affects vaginal microbiome health. Clinicians should encourage patients to adopt a plant-based diet rich in vegetables, nuts, and legumes while limiting sugar-sweetened beverages and trans fats. Future research should explore whether dietary interventions can serve as an effective strategy for BV prevention and management.