In the UK, approximately 18 percent of pregnant women are suffering from gestational diabetes mellitus.
Recently, a group of researchers from the National Institute of Health has uncovered that potatoes consumption is linked to gestational diabetes mellitus. The group found out that women who indulge themselves in too many fries ,during pre-conception, have a higher risk of developing diabetes during their pregnancy.
- Approximately 15.000 women enrolled in the study;
- Scientists made discrimination between the various form of serving potatoes;
- The study extended over a 10-year period.
- Women eating more than 5 servings of potatoes per day have a 50 percent chance of developing diabetes;
- Circa 18 percent of pregnant women from the UK suffer from gestational diabetes;
- Women should replace potatoes with green vegetables.
Researchers from the British Health Institute wanted to find out if potatoes are indeed responsible for gestational diabetes. While conducting their research, the scientists working on the project took into account all potato intake over a day, including fried, boiled and mashed potatoes.
According to their findings, it would seem that potatoes have the tendency of increasing the levels of blood glucose during pregnancy, which, in term, puts a strain on the liver’s capacity to produce insulin.
This process occurs, due to the fact that the starch found in potatoes has the capability of transforming into glucose through a chemical process called enzymatic hydrolysis. Starch, like sugar, is considered to be a source of energy.
In order to test their hypothesis, the group of scientists performed a nation-wide health survey. More than 15.000 pregnant women participated in the 10-year long survey.
After reviewing their data, the team discovered that women who chose to indulge in too many potato-based servings during pre-conception had more chances of developing diabetes during pregnancy than women who eat two meals of potato per week.
Moreover, the results have shown that women who eat more than 5 servings of potatoes per week have a 50 percent more chances of developing gestational diabetes mellitus.
Potatoes consumption is linked to gestational diabetes mellitus. Moreover, it has been proven that high intakes of potatoes can cause insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Worth of mentioning is the fact that none of the women who chose to participate in the study didn’t experience any of the signs of gestational diabetes.
One of the scientists working on the project declared that gestational diabetes is regarded as a common complication during pregnancy. Those interested in their research should not be concerned by their findings.
In order to prevent the onset of diabetes during pregnancy, the doctors recommend limiting the potato intake to two servings per week. Furthermore, expecting mothers should also eat other types of food during pregnancy, such as lean meat, vegetables, fruits, eggs and food containing fibers.
OK, I’ll ask the question. Might there be a study down the road to see if there’s a link between Type II Diabetes and spuds?
Excuse me please…why the heck would anyone be eating 5, that’s five servings of potatoes a day. They deserve what they get!!!
Five servings a day??? Say what? These people are idiots. Eat five servings of anything a day and you will royally screw up your body. We needed a study to tell us this? Thank heavens we have the money to throw around.
The liver produces insulin? Interesting.
Each serving of potato is rather small, about 1 cup. A serving does not mean a fully loaded plate.
That’s still an irrational amount of potatos!
Well I do know that my blood sugar spikes much less with potatoes than with rice or pasta.
When I first became aware of my Type 2 diabetes, I noted that the food that drove my blood sugar levels up was ‘potatoes’ More than cherry pie by a great amount. I needed to learn, so I’d repeat these tests. Potatoes are “bad”. I don’t eat potatoes, modest on rice and corn. You shouldn’t put much faith in ‘medicine by old electricians’.
You also should slow down on spuds before you are a diabetic. Don’t know the causes of Type 2- just know that eating large amounts of cherry pie or potatoes doesn’t help. My experience is to learn to eat many small portions ,no matter who you are or what you eat.
Small portions and variety is key to general good health and in controlling diabetes. Interesting to note that native Americans never suffered from diabetes until the white man came, their diet eventually mimicked that of “civilization”.