https://www.fcs.uga.edu/fdn/research-peach-lab

PeachLabuga, 305 Sanford Drive, Dawson Hall suite 307, Athens, GA (2026)

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305 Sanford Drive, Dawson Hall Suite 307

03/31/2026

Vitamin C is best known for supporting the immune system, but it also plays a major role during pregnancy and postpartum. This vitamin helps the body form collagen, which is important for skin, blood vessels, and tissue growth. During pregnancy, vitamin C also helps with iron absorption — something many moms need more of — and supports overall maternal health. You can find vitamin C in foods like oranges, strawberries, kiwi, bell peppers, broccoli, and tomatoes.
For fetal development, vitamin C helps build connective tissues and supports healthy growth of bones, skin, and blood vessels. It also acts as an antioxidant, helping protect developing cells from oxidative stress. Getting enough vitamin C during pregnancy may also support placental function, which is essential for delivering nutrients and oxygen to the baby.
After delivery, vitamin C continues to matter. During lactation, it helps support tissue healing, immune function, and contributes to the vitamin C content of breast milk. This ensures that breastfeeding infants receive adequate amounts to support their own growth and immune health. It’s another example of how maternal nutrition directly influences both mom and baby.
By examining the effects of a multivitamin/mineral supplement in postpartum women, we aim to better understand how nutrients like vitamin C may help support recovery, overall health, and nutrient status during the postpartum period.

Click the link below to learn more about the study!

https://redcap.ovpr.uga.edu/surveys/?s=DFDHM3PLHNA9AHJC&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEyRkNFUlR2NWh2Z3U3cThRbXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5Z87zw2dbcGndgGtrimtnthQX3A1Y-o50zYe5WB09FR90Mj8_d4grbtDGe7Q_aem_wUF2BtZYEkTtR0Ore0lz2Q

03/27/2026

Staying hydrated in the postpartum period is important for overall recovery, energy levels, and, for breastfeeding mothers, supporting milk production. However, with the demands of caring for a newborn, it’s easy to forget to drink enough fluids throughout the day. Simple strategies like keeping a water bottle within reach, drinking a glass of water each time you feed your baby, and choosing hydrating foods like fruits, vegetables, and soups can help make hydration more manageable.

Quick hydration tips for new moms include setting gentle reminders on your phone and preparing a “hydration station” near your nursing or resting area. Sipping fluids consistently, rather than drinking large amounts at once, may also help maintain hydration levels. Small habits like these can support energy, reduce fatigue, and promote overall well-being during the postpartum transition.

At PeachLab, we recognize that hydration is just one component of postpartum nutrition. Our research examines how a multivitamin/mineral supplement may help support postpartum women by addressing potential nutrient gaps during a time when meeting nutritional needs — including fluids and micronutrients — can be challenging. Understanding these factors can help inform strategies to better support recovery and health after pregnancy.

Click the link below to learn more about the study!

https://redcap.ovpr.uga.edu/surveys/?s=DFDHM3PLHNA9AHJC&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEyRkNFUlR2NWh2Z3U3cThRbXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5Z87zw2dbcGndgGtrimtnthQX3A1Y-o50zYe5WB09FR90Mj8_d4grbtDGe7Q_aem_wUF2BtZYEkTtR0Ore0lz2Q

03/24/2026

Vitamin D plays an important role in maternal health by supporting calcium regulation, bone health, immune function, and cellular growth. During pregnancy, adequate vitamin D is linked to a lower risk of complications such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, while also supporting fetal bone and neurological development.

Low vitamin D levels are common, particularly for individuals with limited sun exposure or low dietary intake. Food sources of vitamin D include fatty fish like salmon and sardines, fortified dairy products, and egg yolks. Getting enough vitamin D through a combination of diet, safe sun exposure, and supplementation when needed can help support overall health during pregnancy and postpartum recovery.

Because nutrient needs remain elevated after delivery, vitamin D continues to be important in the postpartum period. Our study is exploring whether a multivitamin/mineral supplement can help support postpartum women in meeting key nutrient needs, including vitamin D, to promote recovery and overall maternal health during this critical stage.

Click the link below to learn more about the study!

https://redcap.ovpr.uga.edu/surveys/?s=DFDHM3PLHNA9AHJC

03/20/2026

During lactation, a woman’s body requires additional energy and nutrients to support breast milk production and overall health. Breastfeeding mothers generally need an extra 330–400 kilocalories per day, though individual needs vary depending on activity level and whether they are exclusively breastfeeding. Because the nutrients a mother consumes can directly influence the composition of her breast milk, maintaining a varied, nutrient-dense diet is essential for both maternal wellbeing and infant growth and development. Key micronutrients such as iodine, choline, and vitamin D play important roles in infant brain development, with foods like eggs, dairy products, lean meats, seafood, and legumes serving as valuable sources.

In addition to overall energy needs, macronutrient intake is especially important during this stage. Protein and carbohydrate needs increase to maintain energy levels and support lactose synthesis in breast milk. Healthy fats are also critical, particularly omega-3 fatty acids like DHA, which contribute to infant brain and eye development. Fluid needs rise as well, with nursing mothers requiring around 16 cups of water per day to replace fluids lost through milk production and to stay adequately hydrated.

Despite increased awareness of these needs, many postpartum women may struggle to consistently meet nutrient recommendations through diet alone due to time constraints, appetite changes, or the demands of caring for a newborn. This is where targeted nutrition support may play an important role. Our study aims to assess whether a multivitamin-mineral supplement can help support nutrient intake and overall health in postpartum women, helping to bridge potential gaps and promote optimal outcomes for both mother and baby during lactation.

Click the link to check your eligibility in the study!

https://redcap.ovpr.uga.edu/surveys/?s=DFDHM3PLHNA9AHJC

03/17/2026

Selective eating habits and digestive discomfort can often influence one another, creating a two-way relationship. When children accept only a limited variety of foods, they may miss out on key sources of fiber and fluids that support regular digestion. In turn, constipation can cause discomfort, lower appetite, and make children even less willing to try new foods.

Signs of constipation in children can include bowel movements every 3–4 days or less, hard or lumpy stool, and painful or difficult bowel movements. Supporting regular digestion can include gradually increasing fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while encouraging hydration throughout the day.

This connection between diet quality and digestive health highlights a broader theme we see across the lifespan. In our current research, we are exploring how a multivitamin–mineral supplement may help support nutrient intake in postpartum women, a time when nutritional needs are high and meeting them consistently can be challenging. Ensuring adequate nutrients during this stage may play an important role in supporting overall health for both mothers and their families.

Click the link to learn more about the study!

https://redcap.ovpr.uga.edu/surveys/?s=DFDHM3PLHNA9AHJC

03/13/2026

Sensory play involves activities that engage one or more of the five senses. When used with food, it allows children to explore new or previously disliked foods without the expectation of eating them. The goal is to support children in developing a positive, safe relationship with food in a low-pressure environment. This approach can help reduce food neophobia, or hesitation and avoidance of unfamiliar foods. Encouraging curiosity rather than pressure helps children build confidence around food while supporting exposure to nutrient-rich options that contribute to long-term health. Small moments of exploration—like squishing yogurt, dipping fruit, or sorting colorful vegetables—can be meaningful steps toward expanding a child’s diet and improving nutrient intake over time.

Sensory play can also support children who may be hesitant to try nutrient-dense foods that are important for growth and development. In our study, we are exploring ways to improve access to key nutrients such as iron, calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium—nutrients that play an important role in health during early life. By allowing children to interact with foods through touching, smelling, and observing before tasting, sensory play can make these foods feel more familiar and less intimidating.

Click the link below to learn more about the study!

https://redcap.ovpr.uga.edu/surveys/?s=DFDHM3PLHNA9AHJC

03/10/2026

March is national nutrition month! This month we celebrate building a balanced plate and supporting health through proper fuel! Nutrition is important during all stages of life and especially during preconception, pregnancy and the postpartum period. Swipe the post to see ideas on how to fuel during these periods while including essential nutrients such as magnesium, vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, and more!

Research also highlights that these nutrients play a particularly important role in maternal bone health. During pregnancy and lactation, the body adapts to meet the demands of fetal growth and breastmilk production, which can temporarily affect maternal nutrient stores and bone mineral density. Ensuring adequate intake of nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium can help support both maternal health and infant development during these critical stages.

Our study focuses on better understanding how nutrition during postpartum may influence maternal health and recovery. By exploring nutrient intake and maternal outcomes through a multivitamin and mineral supplement, we hope to highlight the importance of accessible nutrition guidance and practical food choices that help mothers meet their increased nutrient needs during this important time.

Click the link to learn more about the study and check your eligibility!

https://redcap.ovpr.uga.edu/surveys/?s=DFDHM3PLHNA9AHJC&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEyRkNFUlR2NWh2Z3U3cThRbXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5Z87zw2dbcGndgGtrimtnthQX3A1Y-o50zYe5WB09FR90Mj8_d4grbtDGe7Q_aem_wUF2BtZYEkTtR0Ore0lz2Q

03/08/2026

Happy International Women’s Day!🌷

03/06/2026

Pregnancy and lactation create substantial physiological demands on maternal bone health, largely driven by increased requirements for calcium and the coordinated action of vitamin D, magnesium, vitamin K, and other micronutrients that regulate bone remodeling. During pregancy, a mother’s calcium stores are transferred to support fetal skeletal development. While the body adapts by increasing intestinal calcium absorption, inadequate intake may lead to temporary mobilization of calcium from maternal bone stores. During lactation, lower estrogen levels further stimulate bone resorption, contributing to measurable decreases in bone mineral density as the body prioritizes infant needs.

Recovery of bone mineral density after weaning is common, but it depends heavily on sufficient availability of key nutrients involved in mineralization and bone turnover. Vitamin D enhances calcium absorption and supports proper bone remodeling; magnesium contributes to bone structure and influences vitamin D metabolism; vitamin K plays a role in activating proteins required for calcium binding in bone tissue; and zinc supports bone formation and repair. When dietary intake of these nutrients is inadequate, particularly in women with low baseline stores, limited sun exposure, or closely spaced pregnancies, full skeletal recovery may be delayed, potentially influencing long-term bone strength and future fracture risk.

Our research is examining whether comprehensive postpartum multivitamin and mineral supplementation can help restore these critical micronutrient levels during the recovery window, supporting optimal bone remineralization and long-term maternal skeletal health. Because postpartum recovery is not only about healing from delivery, but also about rebuilding the nutrient foundations that sustain lifelong bone health. Click the link below to check your eligibility!

https://redcap.ovpr.uga.edu/surveys/?s=DFDHM3PLHNA9AHJC

03/03/2026

World Birth Defects Day, observed annually on March 3, brings together organizations and communities around the globe to raise awareness about congenital anomalies, which affect an estimated 3%–6% of infants worldwide. These conditions are a leading cause of death among infants and young children and can result in lifelong physical, developmental, and intellectual disabilities. The 2026 theme, “Every journey matters,” emphasizes the importance of valuing and supporting every child and family impacted by birth defects.

The day highlights the need for stronger prevention efforts, improved surveillance systems, expanded research, and equitable access to quality healthcare. Prevention strategies include ensuring proper maternal nutrition, such as adequate intake of folic acid and iodine, staying up to date on recommended vaccinations, and avoiding harmful substances like alcohol and to***co during pregnancy. By increasing awareness and strengthening public health initiatives, World Birth Defects Day aims to reduce the global impact of birth defects and improve outcomes for children and families worldwide.

In this way, World Birth Defects Day supports the broader purpose of our study: strengthening maternal nutrition to promote healthier pregnancies, healthier infants, and healthier long-term outcomes for families. Click the link below to learn more about the study and check your eligibility:

https://redcap.ovpr.uga.edu/surveys/?s=DFDHM3PLHNA9AHJC

NutritionScience WomensHealthResearch

02/27/2026

During pregnancy, both macro-and micronutrients have key roles in both the mother and infant’s health and well-being. Key macronutrients such as protein, health fats, and complex carbohydrates aid in tissue development/repair, fuel sources, along with fetal development of the brain and other vital organs. Micronutrients such as folate, iron, and calcium support overall maternal health and reduce the risk of complications. Eating a well-balanced diet, along with MVM supplementation, can help aid in the nutritional and developmental security of both the mother and the developing fetus.

Studies like ours aim to help close the gap by examining whether a postpartum-specific multivitamin-mineral supplement can support maternal nutritional status and wellbeing. Research like this is essential to advancing women’s health and informing future evidence-based postpartum nutrition guidelines.

If you’re approximately 4 weeks postpartum and interested in contributing to this research, check the link in our bio or send us a DM to learn more.

https://redcap.ovpr.uga.edu/surveys/?s=DFDHM3PLHNA9AHJC

02/24/2026

Studies have shown the
presence of a critical period
regarding children’s nutrition
that focuses on the first 1,000
days, from conception to age
two. The presence of this
critical period helps limit the
onset of cognitive and
intellectual disabilities, along
with ensuring the proper
nutrition of the child to support
their physical growth,
emotional well-being, and
cognitive development. Certain
micronutrients, such as iron,
nutritional and developmental
security of both the mother and the
developing fetus.
zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids,
support brain function,
development of the immune
system, and cognitive
performance.

Postpartum nutrition is often overlooked but it is a critical component of recovery and development of the infant. At Peach Lab, we focus on advancing research in maternal and postpartum nutrition to support healthier outcomes for women and infants.

See link below to participatein the study:

https://redcap.ovpr.uga.edu/surveys/?
S=DFDHM3PLHNA9AHJC

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