A Mediterranean diet with extra virgin olive oil and pistachios reduces gestational diabetes mellitus

Written By Executive Chef Giuseppe Urbano

C Assaf-Balut, N García de la Torre, A Durán, M Fuentes, E Bordiú, L Del Valle, C Familiar

Published: October 19, 2017

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) prevalence is increasing and becoming a major public health concern. Whether a Mediterranean diet can help prevent GDM in unselected pregnant women has yet to be studied.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, randomized controlled trial to evaluate the incidence of GDM with two different dietary models. All consecutive normoglycemic (<92 mg/dL) pregnant women at 8–12 gestational weeks (GW) were assigned to Intervention Group (IG, n = 500): MedDiet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and pistachios; or Control Group (CG, n = 500): standard diet with limited fat intake. Primary outcome was to assess the effect of the intervention on GDM incidence at 24–28 GW. Gestational weight gain (GWG), pregnancy-induced hypertension, caesarean section (CS), preterm delivery, perineal trauma, small and large for gestational age (SGA and LGA) and admissions to neonatal intensive care unit were also assessed. Analysis was by intention-to-treat.

Results

A total of 874 women completed the study (440/434, CG/IG). According to nutritional questionnaires and biomarker analysis, women in the IG had a good adherence to the intervention. 177/874 women were diagnosed with GDM, 103/440 (23.4%) in CG and 74/434(17.1%) in IG, p = 0.012. The crude relative risk (RR) for GDM was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.56–0.95; p = 0.020) IG vs CG and persisted after adjusted multivariable analysis, 0.75(95% CI: 0.57–0.98; p = 0.039). IG had also significantly reduced rates of insulin-treated GDM, prematurity, GWG at 24–28 and 36–38 GW, emergency CS, perineal trauma, and SGA and LGA newborns (all p<0.05).

Conclusions

An early nutritional intervention with a supplemented MedDiet reduces the incidence of GDM and improves several maternal and neonatal outcomes. Read more

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Executive Chef Giuseppe Urbano

Executive Chef Giuseppe Urbano is a Certified Executive Chef, clinical culinary innovator, and the founder of Meals For Longevity™ (MFL). Operating out of the Sarasota, Florida area, Chef Giuseppe has dedicated his career to bridging the gap between gourmet culinary arts and evidence-based clinical nutrition.

He is the architect of the MFL Program Framework™ and the proprietary Dual-Track Nutritional System, which allows clients to seamlessly navigate between the authentic Modern Mediterranean Path and a high-protein New American 2025 (DGA) Upgrade, known as The Metabolic Switch™.

Chef Giuseppe’s protocols are meticulously engineered to combat cardio-metabolic diseases sustainably. His culinary frameworks are strictly aligned with the highest global nutritional standards, including the MedDiet 4.0 updates, LARN 2014/2024 guidelines, and the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Through his 28-Day Transformation program and clinical recipe development, he empowers individuals to achieve sustainable weight management, cellular health, and long-term metabolic vitality without sacrificing the joy of eating.

https://www.chefgiuseppeurbano.com
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