Potato-rich diet 'may increase pregnancy diabetes risk- Research


Researchers from US say eating too much potatoes may increase risk in diabetes during pregnancy.
 
This according to the researchers, is probably because of starch in spuds that can trigger a sharp rise in blood sugar levels.

The study which was published tracked more than 21,000 pregnancies.

But UK experts say proof is lacking and lots of people need to eat more starchy foods for fibre, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables. 

UK dietary advice says starchy foods (carbohydrates) such as potatoes should make up about a third of the food people eat. 

There is no official limit on how much carbohydrate people should consume each week.

According to the researchers, pregnancy puts extra demands on the body, and some women develop diabetes at this time.
 
Gestational diabetes, as it is called, usually goes away after the birth but can pose long-term health risks for the mother and baby. They added

The studies set out investigate what might make some women more prone to pregnancy diabetes.

The study followed nurses who became pregnant between 1991 and 2001. 

None of them had any chronic diseases before pregnancy.

Symptoms of Gestational diabetes they say, include a dry mouth, tiredness and urinating frequently.

Gestational diabetes can be controlled with diet and exercise, but some women will need medication to keep their blood glucose levels under control.

If not managed properly, it could lead to premature birth or miscarriage.

Every four years, the women were asked to provide information on how often potatoes featured in their diets, and any cases of gestational diabetes were noted.
 
Over the 10-year period, there were 21,693 pregnancies and 854 of these were affected by gestational diabetes.


The researchers estimate that if women swap their potatoes for vegetables or whole grains at least twice a week, they would lower their diabetes risk by 9-12%.

Cuilin Zhang, lead study author, from the National Institutes of Health in Maryland, US, said the findings were important.

"Gestational diabetes can mean women develop pre-eclampsia during pregnancy and hypertension," she said.

"This can adversely affect the foetus, and in the long term the mother may be at high risk of type-2 diabetes."

But UK experts stressed there was not enough evidence to warn women off eating lots of potatoes. 

Switch baked or mashed potato for sweet potato or boiled new potatoes.

Instead of white and wholemeal bread, choose granary, pumpernickel or rye bread.

Swap frozen microwaveable French fries for pasta or noodles.

Dr Emily Burns, of Diabetes UK, said "This study does not prove that eating potatoes before pregnancy will increase a woman's risk developing gestational diabetes, but it does highlight a potential association between the two.
 
"However, as the researchers acknowledge, these results need to be investigated in a controlled trial setting before we can know more.
 

SOURCE: BBC News