How much longer do women take to conceive with low fruit intake?

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Low Fruit Intake Can Extend Time to Conception by Approximately Two Weeks

Women who consume little to no fruit may take an average of two weeks longer to conceive compared to those who eat three or more servings of fruit daily. This finding is part of a broader study that also indicated a significant delay in conception for women who frequently consume fast food. The research, published in the peer-reviewed journal Human Reproduction, analysed data from nearly 5,600 first-time mothers across Australia, Britain, and New Zealand.
Study Methodology and Scope

The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Adelaide, including lead researcher Professor Claire Roberts and lead author Jessica Grieger, examined dietary habits in the months preceding conception. Data was collected through questionnaires administered by midwives between 2004 and 2011 as part of the Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints (SCOPE) survey. The participants were all first-time mothers, with only 340 having undergone fertility treatment prior to becoming pregnant, ensuring the findings primarily reflect natural conception processes.
Impact of Fruit Consumption on Fertility

A diet notably lacking in fruit was found to extend the time it took for women to become pregnant. Specifically, compared to women consuming three or more portions of fruit daily, those with minimal or no fruit intake experienced an average delay of approximately two weeks in their conception timeline. This suggests a direct correlation between regular fruit consumption and improved fertility rates.
Comparison with Fast Food Consumption

The research also highlighted the impact of fast food on conception timelines. Women who consumed fast foods such as burgers, pizza, and deep-fried chicken four or more times per week took, on average, an additional month to become pregnant when contrasted with those who rarely or never consumed such items. At the extreme ends of consumption, a high intake of fast food versus none at all was associated with a 41 percent increased risk of not becoming pregnant.
Adjustment for Confounding Factors

The study's results were statistically adjusted to account for several factors that can influence fertility. These adjustments considered the potential impact of advanced maternal age, obesity, smoking habits, and alcohol consumption, thereby isolating the effects of diet more effectively. The focus remained on the mother's diet, with information regarding the father's dietary habits not being collected.

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How much longer do women take to conceive with low fruit intake?

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