Following the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy reduces the risk of gestational diabetes, with all the consequent negative consequences. This is what is supported by a clinical trial conducted by Queen Mary University of London and the University of Warwick.

The classic Mediterranean diet, including 30 grams of dried fruit and extra virgin olive oil, lowers the risk of getting sick by 35%. Moreover, the women who follow her earn about 1.25 pounds less than the average. It could therefore be an excellent solution for obese, hypertensive or high-lipid women. In the UK, about 1 in 4 women start their pregnancy with obesity, high blood pressure or high lipids.

This exposes her to gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, high blood pressure, cardiovascular complications. This is to emphasize how important it is for this country - but not only - to find a diet that contrasts all the phenomena in question.

The trial involved around 1,252 British women with different cultures of origin. Half of them were prescribed the Mediterranean diet, while the other half followed the standard directions in the United Kingdom. Women in the first group had fewer gestational diabetes problems and gained less weight. Nevertheless, there were no effects on preeclampsia and high blood pressure. The English guidelines concerning the diet during pregnancy do not include some key components of the Mediterranean diet.

There are no dried fruit, fresh fruit, whole grains, olive oil. According to the authors of the study, instead, all these foods should be reduced and both animal fats and sugars should be reduced. If necessary, it is also advisable to adapt the diet bases to kitchens belonging to different cultures.

Source: qmul.ac.uk