Researchers have finally discovered the cause of morning sickness in pregnancy—and may be close to a cure

(Credit: Getty Image)

Expecting women know to anticipate morning sickness, a potentially debilitating side effect that plagues 80% of pregnant women. But scientists haven’t been sure as to why the misery occurs—until now.

GDF15—a hormone that exists throughout the body in low levels, but is produced in the placenta at higher levels during pregnancy—is indeed the cause of morning sickness, a new study out of the University of Southern California and University of Cambridge, published Wednesday, confirmed.