Dietary Patterns and Bacterial Vaginosis: is there any association? Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
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Divine Aleru
I am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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Women’s Health
Women’s Health
Women’s health, a vital aspect of medical science, encompasses various conditions unique to women’s physiological makeup. Historically, women were often excluded from clinical research, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of women’s health needs. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role that the microbiome plays in these conditions, offering new insights and potential therapies. MicrobiomeSignatures.com is at the forefront of exploring the microbiome signature of each of these conditions to unravel the etiology of these diseases and develop targeted microbiome therapies.
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Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is caused by an imbalance in the vaginal microbiota, where the typically dominant Lactobacillus species are significantly reduced, leading to an overgrowth of anaerobic and facultative bacteria.
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Divine Aleru
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
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.
Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is caused by an imbalance in the vaginal microbiota, where the typically dominant Lactobacillus species are significantly reduced, leading to an overgrowth of anaerobic and facultative bacteria.