Last updated May 16, 2026
Key finding
Mediterranean diet may reduce gestational diabetes risk by 40% in Hispanic women.
This study tested whether a Mediterranean diet could prevent gestational diabetes in Hispanic pregnant women. Researchers enrolled 600 Hispanic women early in pregnancy. Some received Mediterranean diet guidance with free olive oil and pistachios. Others got standard dietary advice to limit fat intake. Women following the Mediterranean diet had much lower rates of gestational diabetes. Only 15% developed it, compared to 26% in the standard care group. They also had better blood sugar control and fewer pregnancy complications. The benefits were consistent and meaningful. The study shows this dietary approach works well for preventing gestational diabetes in Hispanic women.
Quick read
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
Follow-up
Medium-Term (3–12 mo)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
Plain-language summary
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
Mediterranean diet may reduce gestational diabetes risk by 40% in Hispanic women.
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Melero V, García de la Torre N, Assaf-Balut C, et al. Effect of a Mediterranean Diet-Based Nutritional Intervention on the Risk of Developing Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Other Maternal-Fetal Adverse Events in Hispanic Women Residents in Spain. Nutrients. 2020;12(11):3505. doi:10.3390/nu12113505
Gestational diabetes → ↓ (strong reduction)
Blood sugar control → ↓ (moderate improvement)
Pregnancy complications → ↓ (moderate reduction)
Evidence network
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
This study contributes evidence to Mediterranean diet and Gestational diabetes mellitus incidence.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Mediterranean diet
Primary outcomes
Primary intervention
Primary outcomes
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
Editorial context
See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.
Evidence network role
This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.
0
Related topics
1
Evidence pairs
0
Related studies
Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Mediterranean diet → Gestational diabetes mellitus incidence
Mediterranean diet → Gestational diabetes mellitus incidence
Evidence Library
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
Pregnant Hispanic women, particularly those at higher risk for gestational diabetes
Participants knew which diet they were following, which could affect results
Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.
Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on Mediterranean diet and Diabetes Incidence and Prevention.
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Diet and Nutrition
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
All studies measuring Diabetes Incidence and Prevention
Measures Diabetes Incidence and Prevention as a key outcome.
All studies on Mediterranean diet
Contributes to Mediterranean diet evidence base.
Jump to pre-filtered views in Evidence Explorer.
2 results
2 results
2 results
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Mediterranean diet appears to improve Gestational diabetes mellitus incidence.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
Gestational diabetes mellitus incidence
EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Next steps
Choose a next path through related evidence topics, Evidence Explorer views, and research summaries.
Open broader Evidence Explorer views for this relationship.
Read related research summaries.
Focused on evidence, not advertising.
Your data is always protected.
New studies added every day.
