By Sarah Morgan

Studies prove that the diet of a pregnant woman can determine their level of morning sickness

It is being reported that morning sickness experienced by pregnant women could be due to their diet and not due to their pregnancy. Research compiled from 21 countries, points to the fact that morning sickness may in actual fact be the body's defense mechanism for fending off toxins that the body derives from the food eaten by the pregnant woman.

56 studies from 21 different countries were comprised and analysed taking into account morning sickness in pregnant women, along with the prevalent diets associated with each country. The results showed that pregnant women who had a diet higher in sugars, stimulants (caffeine), vegetables, meats, milk and eggs were more apt to suffer from morning sickness than pregnant women who had a diet consisting of high levels of cereal and pulses.

From the study: "Taken together, our results add to a growing body of evidence suggesting links between nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and diet."

It has long been thought that dairy products were one food group that would promote vomiting, a common symptom of morning sickness. Due to their ability to harbour bacteria, it is thought that vomiting is the body's way of ridding the body of potentially dangerous toxins that may harm the mother and her growing fetus.