Maternal high-protein/low-glycemic-index diet during pregnancy impairs offspring lipid profile-a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the effects of a high protein content and a low glycemic index (HPLGI) diet during pregnancy on offspring body composition and metabolic health at 9 years of age.

METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial in pregnant women with a pre-pregnancy BMI of 28-45 kg/m2 who were randomly assigned to either an HPLGI diet or a moderate-protein, moderate-glycemic-index (MPMGI) diet. Of the 208 live-born offspring, 114 were followed up at 9 years of age. Offspring blood samples were collected following an overnight fast, and continuous glucose monitoring data were obtained for up to 14 days. Body composition was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging.

RESULTS: Offspring in the HPLGI group exhibited 0.30 mmol/L (P = 0.033) higher total cholesterol, 0.24 mmol/L (P = 0.031) higher LDL-cholesterol, and 0.03 g/cm2 (P = 0.017) higher bone mineral density than those in the MPMGI group. LDL-cholesterol trajectories from birth to 9 years of age indicated that group differences in LDL-cholesterol increased with age and manifested later in life. Glucose homeostasis and adipose tissue mass did not differ significantly between groups.

CONCLUSION: An HPLGI diet during pregnancy may negatively affect offspring total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. This underscores the need to investigate the long-term consequences of high-protein diets and the underlying mechanisms.