Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that appears for the first time in pregnancy and is characterized by high blood sugar levels, and it is estimated that it affects approximately 5-10% of pregnant women. If not controlled, this disease can cause serious harm to the baby and can even be life-threatening.
But in addition to affecting pregnancy, gestational diabetes also increases the risk of other negative long-term consequences for the baby , such as being at increased risk of obesity in childhood and of developing heart disease before the age of 35.
One of the factors that increases the risk of developing gestational diabetes is being overweight or obese, so taking care of your weight and leading a healthy lifestyle before seeking pregnancy are key to preventing it.
However, according to a recent study, even if the mother is overweight or obese, it is possible to prevent the onset of gestational diabetes with the help of a healthy diet in early pregnancy .
The study
Published in the European Journal of Nutrition and conducted by the University of Turku and the University Hospital of Turku in Finland, the study analyzed the connection between diet and the risk of developing gestational diabetes in overweight or obese women.
For this, 351 women participated who kept a food diary, in which the researchers identified two eating patterns, one healthy and the other unhealthy. In addition, they were asked to answer a questionnaire about the quality of their diet in early pregnancy.
After analyzing the results, it was found that having a healthier dietary pattern, characterized by the consumption of vegetables and rye bread , was associated with a lower risk of gestational diabetes, while the intake of total fats, saturated fatty acids and acids trans fat, and a lower fiber intake, was found more frequently in women with gestational diabetes.
In summary, the results of the study show the importance of eating a healthy diet, in which the consumption of foods with saturated fatty acids is also limited , as well as other nutrients with a high inflammatory potential:
” Consuming vegetables, fruits, berries and whole grain products, as well as unsaturated fats, is particularly important. These nutrients and foods reduce inflammation in the body and therefore also the risk of gestational diabetes. Mothers who are already overweight or obesity before pregnancy would probably benefit from a dietary guide early in pregnancy, “explains Professor Kirsi Laitinen, principal investigator for the Early Health and Nutrition research group that conducted the study.
These results can provide peace of mind to overweight or obese pregnant women, but it is important that from the moment it is known that a baby is on the way, they lead a healthy lifestyle , characterized by a healthy diet, accompanied by an exercise routine doctor-approved and adequate rest, two factors that also help reduce the chance of gestational diabetes.
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