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.