Pregnancy Diet: Moms With Gestational Diabetes Should Eat Soy, Says Research

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) develops during pregnancy among women who have had no prior symptoms of the condition. Over 18 percent of pregnant women in America develop the disease, according to the American Diabetes Association. However,  a new study suggests that this problem could be lessened by eating a rich diet of soy protein.

Researchers from the Arak University of Medical Sciences in Iran conducted a small study to "examine the effects of soy intake on metabolic status of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)," per its press release.

The experts did a six-week clinical trial of 68 women who were positive for GDM while in their 26th week of pregnancy. Random women were assigned a controlled diet of food containing 70 percent animal protein and 30 percent soy protein, while another controlled group was given food containing 35 percent animal protein, 35 percent soy protein and 30 percent plant protein. The foods were sourced from animal meat, cheese, plants and legumes.

The researchers found out that soy protein consumption in the second group led to the significant lowering of the women's blood sugar and insulin levels, compared to the other group. The research also took note that both groups showed their blood triglycerides rise during the trial, but it was the group of women who was fed more soy protein who had better results.

Andrew Garrison of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City assessed Asemi's study and said, "It is a little hard to be certain how much of the maternal benefit is based on soy intake per se, versus the fact that women in the control group were consuming a diet higher in calories and carbohydrates than women in the intervention group," per Yahoo. The women in the clinical trial were apparently fed 50 grams of soy protein daily.

Garrison also noted that the study's result may not immediately influence any changes in usual practices. However, it does support the notion that calories and carbohydrate intake matters "in improving metabolic markers."

Meanwhile, lead study author Zatollah Asemi said that consuming soy protein during pregnancy presents no danger to the mother and the baby. The participants also exhibited no side effects in their soy diet. However, Asemi acknowledged that a change in diet while pregnant must first be consulted with the woman's doctor. Further studies may also provide additional support to this study's findings.

The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.