Women trying to get pregnant through IVF could see their chances triple if they indulge in fats found in avocados, olive oil, seeds and nuts.

According to a study funded by the US National Institutes of Health, fertility during IVF could be bolstered by a Mediterranean diet high in monounsaturated fats.

The study measuring the diets of 147 women undergoing IVF showed that those on a diet high on the fats found in avocados were 3.4 times more likely to get pregnant. Scientists believe monounsaturated fats could be lowering inflammation in the body and therefore improving female fertility.

Those who ate a diet high in saturated fats, however, produced fewer good eggs for use in fertility treatment.

Professor Jorge Chavarro who led the study said: ‘The best kinds of food to eat are avocados, which have a lot of monounsaturated fat and low levels of other sorts of fat, and olive oil.’