Research recommendations
The role of diet-based interventions in obese and overweight pregnant women, the population
most likely to develop GDM, needs further evaluation. The beneficial effects of simple interventions
such as probiotics and myo-inositol on GDM appear promising. There is a need to
evaluate the effects of supplements by large multicentre randomised trials, involving wider
group of individuals such as non-Caucasians and obese women. The optimal dose, frequency
and type of inositol isomer need to be identified. Similarly the effects of different genera or
strains of probiotics and their varied dose on GDM need to be identified. Given the considerable
resources required to deliver the complex interventions based on diet, it is possible that
nutritional supplements will also be cost effective. Furthermore, they are an attractive option as
they are easily available as over the counter supplements.