Researchers studied 320 pregnant women to understand how diet and lifestyle choices affect gestational diabetes—a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. They found that women who ate more antioxidant-rich foods (like fruits, vegetables, and nuts) and had healthier lifestyle habits had lower rates of gestational diabetes. Women with the highest scores for healthy eating and living had about 23% lower risk of developing this condition. The study suggests that focusing on antioxidant-rich foods and good lifestyle choices during pregnancy may help prevent gestational diabetes, though more research is needed to confirm these findings.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether eating foods rich in antioxidants and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent gestational diabetes (a type of diabetes that happens during pregnancy)
- Who participated: 320 pregnant women in Iran—150 who had developed gestational diabetes and 170 who did not. All were recruited from local health clinics.
- Key finding: Pregnant women with the highest scores for antioxidant-rich eating and healthy lifestyle habits had about 23% lower risk of gestational diabetes compared to those with lower scores. Women with gestational diabetes had lower levels of protective nutrients like folate, magnesium, and zinc.
- What it means for you: If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, eating more antioxidant-rich foods and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits may help reduce your risk of gestational diabetes. However, this study shows an association, not proof of cause-and-effect, so talk with your doctor about personalized recommendations.
The Research Details
This was a case-control study, which means researchers compared two groups of pregnant women: those who had gestational diabetes and those who didn’t. They asked detailed questions about what each woman ate using a food questionnaire with 168 different food items. Researchers then calculated an “Oxidative Balance Score” for each woman based on how many antioxidant-rich foods she ate and her lifestyle habits. Antioxidants are natural substances in foods that help protect cells from damage. The researchers used statistical methods to see if women with higher scores were less likely to have gestational diabetes, while accounting for other factors that might affect the results.
This research approach is useful because it allows scientists to look backward at what women ate and their habits before or during pregnancy, then compare those who developed gestational diabetes with those who didn’t. This helps identify patterns that might be protective. Understanding these patterns can help doctors give better advice to pregnant women about preventing this common pregnancy complication.
The study used a validated food questionnaire, meaning it’s a tool that has been tested and proven reliable. The researchers adjusted their analysis for other factors that could affect results, which strengthens the findings. However, the study was conducted in one region of Iran, so results may not apply equally to all populations. The study shows association, not definite cause-and-effect, so more research is needed to confirm these findings.
What the Results Show
Women who developed gestational diabetes had significantly lower overall antioxidant scores compared to healthy pregnant women (18.37 vs. 20.64 points). Their dietary antioxidant scores were also lower (16.1 vs. 17.89 points). Importantly, women with gestational diabetes consumed less of several key protective nutrients: riboflavin (a B vitamin), folate (another B vitamin important in pregnancy), magnesium, and zinc. Interestingly, women with gestational diabetes had higher lifestyle scores, suggesting their lifestyle habits may have been less protective. When researchers looked at women with the highest antioxidant scores overall, these women had about 23% lower risk of developing gestational diabetes compared to those with lower scores.
The study found that both dietary and lifestyle components of the antioxidant score were independently associated with lower gestational diabetes risk. This suggests that both eating antioxidant-rich foods AND maintaining healthy lifestyle habits work together to provide protection. The specific nutrients that were lower in women with gestational diabetes—folate, magnesium, riboflavin, and zinc—are all known to have protective roles in the body.
This research builds on existing knowledge that oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules) plays a role in gestational diabetes. Previous studies have shown that antioxidants help reduce this stress. This study is one of the first to look at a combined score of dietary and lifestyle antioxidant factors together, rather than studying individual nutrients or habits separately. The findings align with general recommendations for healthy pregnancy nutrition.
The study was conducted in one city in Iran, so results may not apply to all populations worldwide. Because this is a case-control study, researchers asked women to remember what they ate, which can be inaccurate. The study shows association between antioxidant scores and lower gestational diabetes risk, but cannot prove that antioxidants directly prevent the condition. Other unmeasured factors could explain the results. The study is relatively small, so larger studies are needed to confirm findings.
The Bottom Line
Pregnant women should aim to eat more antioxidant-rich foods including colorful fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Maintain healthy lifestyle habits including regular physical activity and adequate sleep. Ensure adequate intake of folate, magnesium, zinc, and B vitamins through diet or prenatal vitamins as recommended by your doctor. These recommendations are supported by this research with moderate confidence—the findings are promising but need confirmation from larger studies.
This research is most relevant for pregnant women, women planning pregnancy, and healthcare providers advising pregnant patients. It’s particularly important for women at higher risk of gestational diabetes (those with family history, overweight, or previous gestational diabetes). Women who are not pregnant should not apply these specific findings, though antioxidant-rich diets are generally healthy for everyone.
Gestational diabetes typically develops in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Dietary and lifestyle changes should ideally begin before pregnancy or as early in pregnancy as possible. Benefits in terms of reduced gestational diabetes risk would likely develop over weeks to months of consistent healthy eating and lifestyle habits.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily intake of antioxidant-rich foods by logging servings of colorful fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Set a goal of 5+ servings of fruits and vegetables daily and track whether you meet this goal.
- Use the app to create a meal plan featuring antioxidant-rich foods. Set reminders to eat folate-rich foods (leafy greens, legumes), magnesium-rich foods (nuts, seeds, whole grains), and zinc-rich foods (lean proteins, legumes) at each meal.
- Weekly review of antioxidant food intake patterns. Track lifestyle factors like physical activity minutes per day and sleep hours. Monitor any gestational diabetes screening results with healthcare provider. Use trends over 4-week periods to identify patterns and areas for improvement.
This research suggests an association between antioxidant-rich diets and lower gestational diabetes risk, but does not prove cause-and-effect. Gestational diabetes is a serious condition requiring medical supervision. Pregnant women should not make major dietary changes without consulting their healthcare provider or registered dietitian. This study was conducted in one geographic region and may not apply equally to all populations. If you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, discuss personalized nutrition and lifestyle recommendations with your doctor, especially if you have risk factors for gestational diabetes. This information is educational and should not replace professional medical advice.