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Blueberry and Soluble Fiber Supplementation Evidenced to Reduce Risk of Gestational Diabetes

The pilot study found that the combination reduced excess gestational weight gain and improved glycemic control and inflammation in pregnant women with obesity.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which is defined as diabetes that has its first onset or diagnosis during pregnancy, is one of the most common medical complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. Obesity, which occurs prior to or during pregnancy through excess weight gain, is a leading risk factor in the genesis of gestational diabetes. In some European countries, gestational diabetes has been reported to effect as many as 24% of pregnant mothers. For these reasons, the prevention of gestational diabetes has become a leading health target for formulators of maternal nutrition products.
 
According to a recent pilot study, supplementation with a combination of whole fruit blueberry and soluble fibers could significantly reduce gestational diabetes risk, which was attributed to a number of mechanisms, including a reduction in excess gestational weight gain, improved glycemic control, and reduced inflammation in pregnant women with obesity.
 
The nutritional combination was the candidate in this trial due to U.S. NHANES data, which found that a significant portion of women do not meet dietary recommendations for several micronutrients responsible for antioxidant activity, while also having a high intake of fruit juice and a low intake of whole fruit, which could increase the risk of hyperglycemia and weight gain.
 
“Blueberries are among the commonly consumed berries: they can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce risk of diabetes in human and animal studies, through effects attributed to their high polyphenol content. Dietary fiber, especially soluble fiber, can also reduce the risk of diabetes. Thus, based on a clear need of dietary research in GDM, we aimed to examine the effects of combined dietary supplementation of whole blueberries and soluble fiber on cardiometabolic profiles in minority women at high risk of GDM,” the authors said.
 
The preliminary study recruited 34 women with obesity at the early stages of their pregnancy (24-28 weeks of gestation) and late pregnancy (32-36 weeks of gestation) to examine the cardiometabolic benefits of this combination, especially as it relates to GDM, along with some nutritional education but no mandates regarding changes to habitual diet. Researchers then measured the participants’ metabolic parameters with a glucose challenge test, GDM diagnosis, anthropometric measures, blood pressure, and biochemical analyses.
 
Significant improvements were observed in the supplementation group, including normalized gestational weight gain, improved markers of glycemic control, and reduced markers of inflammation.
 
“Our study shows that blueberry and soluble fiber supplementation was well tolerated and improved classical risk factors for GDM, especially excess maternal weight gain and [C-reactive protein], in obese women. Although nutrition education was provided to both groups as part of standard prenatal care, the specific food supplementation appeared to be more effective in improving maternal risks. These findings warrant investigation in larger trials that must also include women with pregestational diabetes and postpartum hyperglycemia to address the role of bioactive-rich foods in reducing diabetes complications of pregnancy,” the authors concluded.



Mike Montemarano has been the Associate Editor of Nutraceuticals World since February 2020. He can be reached at mmontemarano@rodmanmedia.com.

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