Abstract
PurposeThe aim of this study was to examine the associations of dietary glycemic index and load with gestational blood pressure, placental hemodynamic parameters and the risk of gestational hypertensive disorders.MethodsIn a population-based cohort among 3378 pregnant Dutch women, dietary glycemic index and load were assessed from food frequency questionnaires at median 13.4 (95% range 9.9–22.9) weeks gestation. Blood pressure was measured in early-, mid- and late-pregnancy. Placental hemodynamic parameters were measured in mid- and late-pregnancy by ultrasound. Data on gestational hypertensive disorders was acquired from medical records.ResultsMean dietary glycemic index (SD) was 58 (3) and mean dietary glycemic load (SD) was 155 (47). Dietary glycemic index was not associated with blood pressure, placental hemodynamic parameters and the risk of gestational hypertensive disorders. Higher dietary glycemic load SDS was associated with a higher diastolic blood pressure in early-pregnancy, remaining after adjustment for socio-demographic and lifestyle factors ((0.98 (95% CI 0.35–1.61) mmHg per SDS increase in glycemic load). No other associations of glycemic load with blood pressure or placental hemodynamic parameters and the risk of gestational hypertensive disorders were present. No significant associations of dietary glycemic index and load quartiles with longitudinal blood pressure patterns from early to late-pregnancy were present.ConclusionWithin this low-risk pregnant population, we did not find consistent associations of dietary glycemic index and load with blood pressure, placental hemodynamic parameters and the risk of gestational hypertensive disorders. Further studies need to assess whether the effects on gestational hemodynamic adaptations are more pronounced among high-risk women with an impaired glucose metabolism.
Highlights
Gestational hypertensive disorders affect up to 10% of pregnancies and are a major risk factor for maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality [1]
(1) Basic model, in which we adjusted for gestational age at intake; (2) Socio-demographic model, in which we adjusted for maternal age, educational level and parity; (3) Lifestyle model in which we adjusted for prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), folic acid use, smoking habits and alcohol use, and total energy intake; (4) Dietary model: in which we adjusted for dietary fiber intake, salt intake and gestational weight gain if we found significant associations in the lifestyle model
Women in the lowest dietary glycemic index quartile had the lowest systolic and diastolic blood pressure throughout pregnancy when compared to the other quartiles, there were no significant differences in the increase of blood pressure per week present between quartiles (p values for interaction of dietary glycemic index quartile with gestational age ≥ 0.05)
Summary
Gestational hypertensive disorders affect up to 10% of pregnancies and are a major risk factor for maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality [1]. A meta-analysis consisting of 14 intervention studies comprising 1097 healthy non-pregnant individuals with a mean age ranging from 28 to 54 years, showed that a daily glycemic index reduction of 10 units lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 1.1 and 1.3 mmHg, respectively [3]. This meta-analysis showed that a daily glycemic load reduction of 28 units lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 2.0 mmHg [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
