Benefits of Adhering to a Mediterranean Diet Supplemented with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Pistachios in Pregnancy on the Health of Offspring at 2 Years of Age. Results of the San Carlos Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Prevention Study.

Abstract

The intrauterine environment may be related to the future development of chronic diseases in the offspring. The St. Carlos gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) prevention study, is a randomized controlled trial that evaluated the influence of the early (before 12th gestational week) Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) on the onset of GDM and adverse gestational outcomes. Out of 874 women assessed after delivery (440 control group (CG)/434 intervention group (IG)), 703 children were followed (365/338; CG/IG), with the aim to assess whether the adherence to a MedDiet during pregnancy induces health benefits for the offspring during the first two years of life. Logistic regression analysis showed that the IG in children of mothers with pre-gestational body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m2 and normal glucose tolerance (NGT), was associated with a lower risk (RR(95% CI)) of suffering from severe events requiring hospitalization due to bronchiolitis/asthma (0.75(0.58–0.98) and 0.77(0.59–0.99), respectively) or other diseases that required either antibiotic (0.80(0.65–0.98) and 0.80(0.65–0.99), respectively), corticosteroid treatment (0.73(0.59–0.90) and 0.79(0.62–1.00) respectively) or both (all p < 0.05). A nutritional intervention based on the MedDiet during pregnancy is associated with a reduction in offspring’s hospital admissions, especially in women with pre-gestational BMI < 25 kg/m2 and NGT.

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Pregnancy and Its Benefits on Maternal-Fetal Health: A Systematic Review of the Literature

“…As for the country of origin, 57.14% ( n = 8) ( 18 – 20 , 28 – 32 ) of the articles were carried out in Spain, two studies were carried out in the Netherlands (14.29%) ( 33 , 34 ), one in England (7.14%) ( 35 ), one in France (more specifically on the island of Guadeloupe) (7.14%) ( 36 ), one in the United States (7.14%) ( 37 ), and, finally, one that included participants from the United States, Greece, and Crete (7.14%) ( 21 ). In terms of design, of the 14 studies included, five were cohorts (35.71%) ( 21 , 33 , 34 , 36 , 37 ), four clinical trials (28.57%) ( 18 , 29 , 31 , 35 ), three cases and controls (21.43%) ( 24 , 30 , 32 ), and two were cross-sectional studies (14.29%) ( 19 , 20 ).…”

Mediterranean Diet for the Prevention of Gestational Diabetes in the Covid-19 Era: Implications of Il-6 In Diabesity

“…Following a MedDiet pre-pregnancy seems to be effective in preventing GDM and other maternofetal outcomes [ 147 ]. Compliance with MedDiet before the 12th gestational week was associated with a reduction of GDM [ 148 ] and with health benefits for the offspring, particularly in women with a pre-gestational BMI lower than 25 kg/m 2 and normal glucose tolerance [ 149 ]. It was proven that also a late first-trimester (>12 gestational weeks) degree of adherence to a MedDiet pattern seems to positively impact on a composite materno-fetal outcome (CMFCs) such as perineal trauma, emergency C-section, pre-eclampsia, pregnancy-induced hypertension, prematurity, and large or small-for-gestational-age (SGA).…”

Plant-based snacking: research and practical applications of pistachios for health benefits

“…3. Melero et al (93) Follow-up at 2-year post-partum. Primary endpoint: offspring health during first 2 years of life.…”

“…The supplemented Mediterranean diet reduced the incidence of GDM rate from 23⋅4 % (in the control group) to 17⋅1 % and improved maternal and neonatal outcomes (significantly lower rates of insulin-treated GDM, prematurity, emergency caesarean sections, perineal trauma and small and large for GA new-borns) ( 92 ) ( Table 5 ). Health benefits to the infant persisted during the first two years of life: the offspring of mothers receiving the supplemented Mediterranean diet during pregnancy had fewer hospital admissions requiring antibiotic and corticosteroid treatment, and fewer admissions related to asthma/bronchiolitis, especially in women with pre-gestational BMI <25 kg/m 2( 93 ) . A later sub-analysis of the data collected in the St. Carlos Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Prevention Study showed that mothers receiving the pistachio and EVOO-enriched diet had over 50 % lower risk of composite adverse maternofoetal outcomes, including lower mean fasting glucose and HbA levels, at 24–28th and 36–38th GW, in the intervention group compared to the standard care control group ( 94 ) .…”