Polyphenol Intake in Pregnant Women on Gestational Diabetes Risk and Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Offspring: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The intake of foods containing polyphenols can have a protective role to avoid comorbidities during pregnancy and, at the same time, promote transgenerational health. This review aims to describe the effect of polyphenol intake through supplements or polyphenol-rich foods during pregnancy on the incidence and evolution of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), as well as the link with the neurodevelopment of the fetus. Using PRISMA procedures, a systematic review was conducted by searching in biomedical databases (PubMed, Cinahl and Scopus) from January to June 2022. Full articles were screened (n = 419) and critically appraised. Fourteen studies were selected and were divided into two different thematic blocks considering (i) the effect of polyphenols in GDM and (ii) the effect of GDM to mental disorders in the offspring. A positive relationship was observed between the intake of polyphenols and the prevention and control of cardiometabolic complications during pregnancy, such as GDM, which could be related to thwarted inflammatory and oxidative processes, as well as neuronal factors. GDM is related to a greater risk of suffering from diseases related to neurodevelopment, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder and learning disorder. Further clinical research on the molecule protective mechanism of polyphenols on pregnant women is required to understand the transgenerational impact on fetal neurodevelopment.

Effects of dietary polyphenols on maternal and fetal outcomes in maternal diabetes

“…Additionally, the safety of long-term use needs to be thoroughly studied before recommendations can be made for pregnant women, a high-risk population. 164…”

“…long-term use needs to be thoroughly studied before recommendations can be made for pregnant women, a high-risk population. 164 We have cited studies that present epidemiological and experimental evidence of the effects of dietary polyphenols on the mother and fetus during maternal diabetes. Plant-derived polyphenols are characterized by less expensive and fewer or no side effect, 40 therefore, they are attracting increasing attention from the scientific community.…”

Therapeutic Potential of Polyphenols and Other Micronutrients of Marine Origin

“…Furthermore, the effects of marine polyphenols on pregnant and breastfeeding women are not yet fully understood, and caution should be exercised when consuming these compounds during these periods [ 269 ].…”

The Role of Dietary Polyphenols in Pregnancy and Pregnancy-Related Disorders

“…A positive correlation has been found between the intake of polyphenol-rich food (PRF) and the prevention and control of cardiometabolic complications during pregnancy, including GDM [108]. The effect of polyphenol intake during pregnancy on the incidence and evolution of GDM is described recently [109]. The total intake of polyphenols, especially flavonoids, during midpregnancy was associated with a lower risk of GDM, according to a study on 2231 pregnant women [110], and polyphenols were proposed to be beneficial in relieving GDM symptoms.…”