Whey Protein Pre-load and Postprandial Glycemia in Pregnancy

Gestational diabetes (GDM) has transgenerational health consequences and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in both mother and child. However, there is a lack of practical nutritional concepts for the prevention and treatment of GDM. This randomized controlled pilot study investigates whether the intake of a protein drink before carbohydrate intake lowers postprandial blood glucose levels of pregnant women. Therefore, two 75g oral glucose tolerance tests are performed in 20 pregnant women in a cross-over design, whereby a whey protein solution is drunk 30 minutes before one of the oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT). If a clinically relevant effect on blood glucose levels is identified, this project can clarify whether the reduction in postprandial glycemia was caused by changes in the secretion of insulin and incretins.

Inclusion criteria

• Pregnant women between 24+0 and 27+6 (+/- 7 days) weeks of pregnancy after menstruation
• BMI before pregnancy: 18 - 29.9 kg/m2
• No known underlying diseases
• Understanding and voluntary signing of a consent form before study-related examinations

Exclusion criteria

• Age < 18 years
• Diabetes mellitus type 1 or type 2
• Drug therapy that raises or lowers blood sugar, e.g. steroids, antidiabetics, insulin.
• Endocrine disorders (e.g. hyperthyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), ...)
• Current depression or other mental illnesses
• Eating disorder
• Regular intake of medication other than vitamins/trace elements during pregnancy
• Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m²
• C-reactive protein > 10 mg/l
• Transaminase elevation of 2 times the upper norm
• Pre-existing cardiac diseases
• Drug and/or alcohol abuse
• Hb < 12 g/dl
• No consent to be informed about incidentally discovered pathological findings
• Any other (clinical) condition that would endanger participants safety or question scientific success according to the physicians opinion.