New study: Eat more greens to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes

Source: Life Times

Xu Cheng compiled

Healthy diet before and during pregnancy is directly related to maternal and child health. A prospective large-scale study published in the authoritative journal of diabetes care in the field of diabetes suggested that eating more dietary fiber-rich foods before pregnancy can help reduce the risk of gestational diabetes.

In the new study, experts from the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health and their research team examined 13,000 women on the risk of gestational diabetes by consuming dietary fiber from foods such as cereals, fruits, and vegetables during pregnancy and pregnancy, as well as blood glucose load (glycemic load = glycemic index× the amount of available carbohydrates in foods consumed in foods/100). Participants self-reported the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus and validated it in case reviews.

A total of 758 cases of gestational diabetes were detected during an average of 8 years of follow-up. After adjusting for age, fetal birth, preconception body mass index, and other relevant variables. The researchers found that total dietary fiber intake, particularly fiber from cereals, fruits and vegetables, was strongly associated with lower rates of gestational diabetes. For every 10 grams increase in dietary fiber daily intake, the risk of gestational diabetes is reduced by 26%. With an increase of 5 grams of fiber per day from cereals or fruits, the risk of gestational diabetes can be reduced by 23% or 26%, respectively. The new study also found a positive correlation between dietary glycemic load and the risk of gestational diabetes. Women with the highest glycemic load had a 61% increased risk of gestational diabetes compared with women with the lowest glycemic load. High glycemic load, combined with a low-grain fiber diet, can lead to a 2.15-fold increase in the risk of gestational diabetes.

Preconception diet is directly related to gestational diabetes risk. Low-fiber, high-glycemic diets are at greatest risk. Therefore, it is recommended that women consume more dietary fiber foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grain foods and cereals during pregnancy. Some women may obtain adequate fiber intake by taking dietary fiber supplements under the guidance of a doctor.

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