Influence of low-glycemic index diet for gestational diabetes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Background: Low-glycemic index (GI) diet might be beneficial for gestational diabetes. However, the results remained controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the influence of low-GI diet on gestational diabetes.

Methods: PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases were systematically searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of low-GI diet on gestational diabetes were included. Two investigators independently searched articles, extracted data, and assessed the quality of included studies. This meta-analysis was performed using the random-effect model.

Results: Six RCTs involving 532 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with a control intervention in gestational diabetes, low-GI diet was found to significantly reduce 2 h postprandial glucose (Std. MD = –0.46; 95% CI = –0.82 to –0.10; p = .01), but demonstrated no substantial influence on fasting plasma glucose (Std. MD = –0.24; 95% CI = –0.72 to 0.24; p = .33), HbA1c (Std. MD = 0.01; 95% CI = –0.29 to 0.31; p = .94), birth weight (Std. MD = –0.17; 95% CI = –0.41 to 0.06; p = .15), macrosomia (Std. MD = 0.45; 95% CI = 0.16 to 1.30; p = .14) and insulin requirement (Std. MD = 0.91; 95% CI = 0.68 to 1.22; p = .55).

Conclusions: Compared with control intervention in gestational diabetes, low-GI diet was found to significantly decrease 2 h postprandial glucose, but showed no notable impact on fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, birth weight, macrosomia, and insulin requirement.

Keywords:

• Low-glycemic index diet
• gestational diabetes
• randomized controlled trials
• systematic review
• meta-analysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.