Plant-Based Diets Lower Risk for Gestational Diabetes

Adherence to a plant-based diet before pregnancy lowers the risk for gestational diabetes, according to data presented at the 80th American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions. Researchers followed almost 16,000 women from the Nurses’ Health Study II, who reported at least one pregnancy over 10 years, monitored adherence to a plant-based diet using various indices of healthfulness, and tracked diabetes incidence. Results showed a significant inverse association between plant-based diets and diabetes. The authors suspect a plant-based diet led to a lower pre-pregnancy BMI and reduced intake of red and processed meat, both of which are linked to a reduced risk for gestational diabetes.