Potato is one of the most-consumed crops in the world, accounting for an average of 8% daily total energy intake. However, potatoes are rich in sugar, and their health benefits remain inconclusive. This study aims to evaluate the association between potato consumption before pregnancy and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
In this prospective cohort study, a total of 15,632 women with no history of GDM or chronic diseases before pregnancy were included. The researchers assessed the consumption of potatoes and other foods every 4 years. The primary outcome of the study was the incidence of GDM.
A total of 854 incidents of GDM out of 21,693 singleton pregnancies were discovered during a follow-up of 10 years. After the adjustment of variables like dietary and non-dietary factors, women with high consumption of potatoes before pregnancy had higher rates of developing GDM. When potato consumption was substituted with the intake of other vegetables, whole-grain foods, and legumes, the risk of GDM was reduced by 6-12%. However, the severity of GDM was not known.
The research concluded that high levels of potato consumption before pregnancy were associated with a higher risk of gestational diabetes mellitus.
Ref: https://www.bmj.com/content/352/bmj.h6898
