Dietary protein in early pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study

Abstract

The relationship between dietary protein intake and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains inconsistent and unclear. Here, we examined the correlation between the various sources of protein intake among Chinese pregnant women and GDM. MethodsThis prospective cohort study included 1060 pregnant women at 6-13 + 6 weeks of gestation from Guangdong Provincial Hospital for Women and Children, South China. The participants' intake of dietary protein was assessed using a validated quantitative food frequency questionnaire during the early trimester. GDM was diagnosed via an oral glucose tolerance test performed at 24-28 gestational weeks. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between dietary protein intake during pregnancy and GDM. Furthermore, we applied restricted cubic splines to determine their linear relationship. ResultsAbout 26.3% (n = 279) of pregnant women were diagnosed with GDM. Animal protein intake was revealed to have a positive correlation with GDM risk (Q4 vs. Q1: OR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.46-5.34; P = 0.015), whereas high intake levels of dietary plant protein were linked to reduced GDM risk (Q4 vs. Q1: OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.25-0.73). In strati ed analysis, the relationship between protein and GDM was stronger during early pregnancy in women with obesity.However, total protein intake did not show a signi cant association with GDM. ConclusionsOur study ndings suggest that a plant protein-based diet was associated with reduced GDM risk, whereas the dietary intake of animal protein was positively associated with GDM risk among Chinese women during early pregnancy.

Nutrients as Risk Factors and Treatments for Gestational Diabetes

“…Of late a whole host of dietary strategies have been or are being studied to investigate potential links with alterations in GDM risk, including variations of the Mediterraneanstyle diet [14,15], high-fiber diets [16], diets with high complex carbohydrate contents [17], plant-based dietary patterns [18], diets high in probiotic yogurt contents [19], and diets with high colorful fruit and vegetable contents [20]. Further, observational dietary studies have reported associations between GDM risk and protein intake in early pregnancy (higher risk with increased early animal protein intakes and lower risk with increased early plant protein intakes [21]). Other dietary approaches currently being tested include a pre-pregnancy lifestyle intervention involving an aerobic exercise regime combined with time-restricted eating of less than ten hours a day, in women who are contemplating pregnancy and have risk factors for GDM [22].…”