GESTATIONAL diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a growing concern due to its potential impact on both maternal and fetal health. A recent study explored the effect of total, animal, and plant protein sources on GDM risk, providing insights into how dietary choices during pregnancy may influence health outcomes. A key finding is that higher total protein intake, particularly from animal sources, is associated with a reduced risk of GDM.
The case-control study was conducted in China, involving 947 pregnant women from three hospitals. Participants’ dietary intake was assessed through a 3-day 24-hour recall and a food frequency questionnaire. To analyse the data, logistic regression was applied to adjust for multiple confounders, including age, BMI, family history of diabetes, and lifestyle factors. Two models were used to assess the substitution effects of protein sources on the risk of GDM, focusing on the role of animal versus plant-based protein.
The results indicated that total protein intake significantly reduced GDM risk (odds ratio [OR] 0.10; 95% CI: 0.04-0.27; p<0.001), while animal protein intake showed a similar trend but became insignificant when adjusting for calorie, carbohydrate, and fat intake. There was no association between plant protein and GDM (OR 1.04; 95% CI: 0.69-1.58; p=0.852). Notably, replacing carbohydrates with an equal amount of total, animal, or plant protein reduced the risk of GDM by 45% (OR 0.55; 95% CI: 0.42–0.68; p<0.001), 46% (OR 0.54; 95% CI: 0.41–0.67; p<0.001), and 51% (OR 0.49; 95% CI: 0.25–0.72; p=0.004), respectively. Additionally, consumption of fish (OR 0.99; 95% CI: 0.98–1.00; p=0.024), dairy (OR 0.99; 95% CI: 0.98–0.99; p<0.001), and eggs was associated with a reduced GDM risk, while unprocessed red meat consumption increased the risk (OR 1.04; 95% CI: 1.03–1.05; p<0.001).
To conclude, the study suggests that increasing total and animal protein intake, particularly from sources like fish, dairy, and eggs, can lower the likelihood of developing GDM. However, the consumption of unprocessed red meat may raise the risk. These findings highlight the importance of dietary education and early prevention strategies for GDM. The authors note limitations of the study, including its observational design, which cannot establish causality, and potential recall bias due to the self-reported dietary intake. Further research with larger sample sizes and more precise dietary methods is needed to validate these results.
Bertie Pearcey, EMJ
Reference
Wang R et al. Association between protein intake and sources in mid-pregnancy and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2025;25(1):240
