BMJ 2016;352:i975 doi: 10.1136/bmj.i975 (Published 23 February 2016)
Page 1 of 1
Letters
LETTERS PRE-PREGNANCY POTATO CONSUMPTION AND RISK OF GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS
Sweet potato as an alternative to potato in gestational diabetes mellitus Arun Sharma junior resident (pharmacology), M Thulasimani associate professor (pharmacology) Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences (SLIMS), Puducherry 605502, India
Bao and colleagues recently found that consumption of higher levels of potato before pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes, and they suggested substituting potatoes with other vegetables or whole grains to lower this risk.1 We suggest that sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) could be eaten instead of potato. Often categorised as “poor man’s food,” the nutritional value of sweet potato is about 50% higher than potato and it can therefore be consumed in moderation, unlike potato.2 Because of their name, and the fact that sweet potatoes taste sweet, the prevailing myth is that they should be avoided by patients with diabetes even though they have a lower glycaemic index than ordinary potatoes. Sweet potatoes have almost double the fibre content of potatoes and four times more calcium,3 making them even more useful for pregnant women with diabetes, as pregnant women often have constipation and take calcium supplements for fetal and maternal wellbeing. Sweet potatoes also have an anti-hypertensive effect, which might be beneficial in pregnant women, especially those with gestational diabetes, as they are more prone to developing hypertension.4
Studies have shown that sweet potatoes have anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, and anti-proliferative properties and can raise blood levels of adiponectin, which helps to regulate insulin metabolism.5 6 In view of these findings, we think that sweet potatoes are underutilised in the management of diabetes and
should be used as an alternative to potatoes in pregnant women with diabetes and the general population of people with diabetes. Large scale studies of sweet potatoes in gestational diabetes would be very useful. Competing interests: None declared. Full response at: http://www.bmj.com/content/352/bmj.h6898/rr-5. 1 2 3 4 5
6
Bao W, Tobias DK, Hu FB, Chavarro JE, Zhang C. Pre-pregnancy potato consumption and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: prospective cohort study. BMJ 2016;352:h6898. doi:10.1136/bmj.h6898. 26759275. Krochmal-Marczak B, Sawicka B, Supski J, Cebulak T, Paradowska K. Nutrition value of the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) cultivated in south-eastern Polish conditions. International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research 2014;4:169-78. National Institute of Nutrition. Nutritive value of Indian foods. 2nd ed India. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 2011. Jawi IM, Yasa IWPS, Subawa AAN, Suprapta DN. Comparison of potential antihypertensive and antioxidant between aqueous extract of purple sweet potato tuber and captopril in hypertensive patients. Journal of Biology,Agriculture and Healthcare 2015;5:128-33. van Jaarsveld PJ, Faber M, Tanumihardjo SA, Nestel P, Lombard CJ, Benadé AJ. Beta-carotene-rich orange-fleshed sweet potato improves the vitamin A status of primary school children assessed with the modified-relative-dose-response test. Am J Clin Nutr 2005;81:1080-7.15883432. Ludvik BH, Mahdjoobian K, Waldhaeusl W, et al. The effect of Ipomoea batatas (Caiapo) on glucose metabolism and serum cholesterol in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized study. Diabetes Care 2002;25:239-40. doi:10.2337/diacare.25.1. 239. 11772921.
Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/ permissions
[email protected] For personal use only: See rights and reprints http://www.bmj.com/permissions
Subscribe: http://www.bmj.com/subscribe
Page 1 of 1
Letters
LETTERS PRE-PREGNANCY POTATO CONSUMPTION AND RISK OF GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS
Sweet potato as an alternative to potato in gestational diabetes mellitus Arun Sharma junior resident (pharmacology), M Thulasimani associate professor (pharmacology) Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences (SLIMS), Puducherry 605502, India
Bao and colleagues recently found that consumption of higher levels of potato before pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes, and they suggested substituting potatoes with other vegetables or whole grains to lower this risk.1 We suggest that sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) could be eaten instead of potato. Often categorised as “poor man’s food,” the nutritional value of sweet potato is about 50% higher than potato and it can therefore be consumed in moderation, unlike potato.2 Because of their name, and the fact that sweet potatoes taste sweet, the prevailing myth is that they should be avoided by patients with diabetes even though they have a lower glycaemic index than ordinary potatoes. Sweet potatoes have almost double the fibre content of potatoes and four times more calcium,3 making them even more useful for pregnant women with diabetes, as pregnant women often have constipation and take calcium supplements for fetal and maternal wellbeing. Sweet potatoes also have an anti-hypertensive effect, which might be beneficial in pregnant women, especially those with gestational diabetes, as they are more prone to developing hypertension.4
Studies have shown that sweet potatoes have anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, and anti-proliferative properties and can raise blood levels of adiponectin, which helps to regulate insulin metabolism.5 6 In view of these findings, we think that sweet potatoes are underutilised in the management of diabetes and
should be used as an alternative to potatoes in pregnant women with diabetes and the general population of people with diabetes. Large scale studies of sweet potatoes in gestational diabetes would be very useful. Competing interests: None declared. Full response at: http://www.bmj.com/content/352/bmj.h6898/rr-5. 1 2 3 4 5
6
Bao W, Tobias DK, Hu FB, Chavarro JE, Zhang C. Pre-pregnancy potato consumption and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: prospective cohort study. BMJ 2016;352:h6898. doi:10.1136/bmj.h6898. 26759275. Krochmal-Marczak B, Sawicka B, Supski J, Cebulak T, Paradowska K. Nutrition value of the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) cultivated in south-eastern Polish conditions. International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research 2014;4:169-78. National Institute of Nutrition. Nutritive value of Indian foods. 2nd ed India. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 2011. Jawi IM, Yasa IWPS, Subawa AAN, Suprapta DN. Comparison of potential antihypertensive and antioxidant between aqueous extract of purple sweet potato tuber and captopril in hypertensive patients. Journal of Biology,Agriculture and Healthcare 2015;5:128-33. van Jaarsveld PJ, Faber M, Tanumihardjo SA, Nestel P, Lombard CJ, Benadé AJ. Beta-carotene-rich orange-fleshed sweet potato improves the vitamin A status of primary school children assessed with the modified-relative-dose-response test. Am J Clin Nutr 2005;81:1080-7.15883432. Ludvik BH, Mahdjoobian K, Waldhaeusl W, et al. The effect of Ipomoea batatas (Caiapo) on glucose metabolism and serum cholesterol in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized study. Diabetes Care 2002;25:239-40. doi:10.2337/diacare.25.1. 239. 11772921.
Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/ permissions
[email protected] For personal use only: See rights and reprints http://www.bmj.com/permissions
Subscribe: http://www.bmj.com/subscribe
