IMR Press / IJVNR / Volume 94 / Issue 5-6 / DOI: 10.1024/0300-9831/a000803

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research (IJVNR) is published by IMR Press from Volume 95 Issue 1 (2025). Previous articles were published by another publisher under a hybrid publishing model, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with Hogrefe.

Original Communication

The protective association of dairy intake and the adverse impact of iron on gestational diabetes risk

Show Less
Affiliation
1 Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
2 School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
3 Research Committee, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Int. J. Vitam. Nutr. Res. 2024, 94(5-6), 354–364; https://doi.org/10.1024/0300-9831/a000803
Submitted: 30 May 2023 | Accepted: 22 December 2023 | Published: 17 January 2024
Abstract

Background: Gestational diabetes (GDM) is a pregnancy-related glucose intolerance with significant implications for maternal and fetal health. Calcium is essential for insulin secretion and metabolism, while iron intake may also impact GDM. This case-control study was conducted to investigate the relationship between calcium and iron intake with the risk of GDM. Methods: GDM was defined as Fasting Blood Sugar>92mg/dL or 75g Oral-Glucose-Tolerance-Test 120-minutes>153mg/dL. A 168-Item food-frequency-questionnaire was used to collect dietary calcium and iron intake from 24–40 weeks of gestation. The impact of total iron, red, processed/unprocessed meat consumption, calcium, and dairy intake on GDM were investigated. Results: A total of 229 GDM and 205 non-GDM women (18–45 years) participated. GDM group had higher pre-pregnancy weight, weight gain, and pre-pregnancy BMI. Across all models, GDM risk significantly increased in the third and fourth quartiles of iron intake. The fourth quartile had an Odds Ratio (OR) of 2.68 (CI 95%, 4.89–1.56; P<0.001) compared to the reference. Heme-iron consumption in the fourth quartiles increased GDM risk. In the second calcium intake model, ORs for the second, third, and fourth quartiles were 0.51 (CI 95%, 0.91–0.25), 0.43 (CI 95%, 0.77–0.24), and 0.35 (CI 95%, 0.63–0.19), respectively (P<0.001 all), reducing GDM risk by 50–65% compared to the first quartile. Dairy consumption in all quartiles of the first and second models was associated with lower GDM risk. Conclusions: Consumption of heme-iron through red and processed meat associated with an increased chance of developing GDM. Dairy intake reduces the chances of developing GDM in pregnant women.

Keywords
diabetes
gestational
heme iron
non-heme iron
dietary calcium
diet
Share
Back to top