Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Low Glycemic Index Dietary Patterns on Blood Glucose Levels and Pregnancy Outcomes in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Objective This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of low glycemic index (LGI) dietary patterns in improving glycemic control and pregnancy outcomes among patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified through systematic searches of PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP Medicine, Wanfang, and other relevant databases. Data extraction and quality assessment were conducted following Cochrane guidelines. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.3 and STATA 12.0 software. Results Eleven RCTs comprising 1209 participants were included. Compared with conventional diabetic diets, LGI dietary interventions significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and insulin resistance levels. Additionally, LGI diets were associated with a lower incidence of excessive gestational weight gain and improved neonatal outcomes. Conclusion LGI dietary patterns effectively enhance glycemic control, mitigate insulin resistance, and improve perinatal outcomes in GDM patients. However, further high-quality studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to strengthen these conclusions.