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Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Probiotics Improve Metabolic Outcomes in Post-GDM Women

Powered by the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework

Last updated September 9, 2026

Key finding

Fasting blood glucose level significantly decreased (mean difference -0.20 mmol/L; p = 0.0021).

This study investigated the effects of probiotics on metabolic outcomes in women with a history of gestational diabetes, finding significant improvements in fasting plasma glucose and other metabolic markers.

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

EvidenceScore™

Moderate

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Medium-Term (3–12 mo)

Risk of bias

Some Concerns

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Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.

Study focus

This study investigated the effects of probiotics on metabolic outcomes in women with a history of gestational diabetes, finding significant improvements in fasting plasma glucose and other metabolic markers.

Clinical relevance

The findings highlight the potential role of probiotics in improving metabolic health among women with a history of gestational diabetes, a group at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. By addressing metabolic dysfunction early, probiotics may offer a preventive strategy to reduce long-term health risks.

Keep in mind

Unclear effectiveness for some outcomes. Limited generalizability due to specific population. Potential confounding factors not measured.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Zubaidah H, Raja ARA, Hajar FA, et al. Probiotics Improve Metabolic Outcomes in Women with a History of Gestational Diabetes. Nutrients. 2022;14(18):3878. doi:10.3390/nu14183878

View DOIView on PubMedView on PMC

Main Effects

Fasting plasma glucose decreased by 0.20 mmol/L (p = 0.0021).

HbA1c levels differed significantly between groups (p < 0.05).

Total cholesterol levels differed significantly between groups (p < 0.05).

Bifidobacterium adolescentis increased significantly after supplementation.

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Probiotics and C-reactive protein, Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), HbA1c, and 3 more.

This study contributes evidence to

Intervention

Probiotics

Outcome

C-reactive protein

Evidence topic

Supplements and Nutraceuticals

Primary intervention

Probiotics

Primary outcomes

  • C-reactive protein
  • Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
  • HbA1c

Evidence topics

Supplements and NutraceuticalsFasting Blood GlucoseGlycemic ControlHbA1c Reduction

Primary intervention

Probiotics

Primary outcomes

C-reactive proteinFasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)HbA1c

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

6
Evidence pairs
6
Relationships
6
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

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.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 68

6

Related topics

6

Evidence pairs

2086

Related studies

High relevance in at least one topic

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 6 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 6 direct semantic evidence topics

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

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Primary evidence

Evidence relationship

Probiotics and Synbiotics and Adipokine and Angiogenic Markers

Related evidence

Evidence relationship

Probiotics and Synbiotics and HbA1c

Save evidence

Evidence relationship

Probiotics and Synbiotics and Fasting Glucose

Save evidence

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

C-reactive protein

Probiotics → C-reactive protein

Probiotics → C-reactive protein

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

Probiotics → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

Probiotics → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
100
consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 2 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

HbA1c

Probiotics → HbA1c

Probiotics → HbA1c

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
ImpactScore™
75
Positive
ConsistencyScore™
100
consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 2 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Total cholesterol

Probiotics → Total cholesterol

Probiotics → Total cholesterol

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Total number of medications used

Probiotics → Total number of medications used

Probiotics → Total number of medications used

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Triglycerides

Probiotics → Triglycerides

Probiotics → Triglycerides

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Evidence Library

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evidence suggest

Evidence Suggest

  • Fasting plasma glucose decreased by 0.20 mmol/L.
  • Significant differences in HbA1c and cholesterol levels.
  • Increased levels of Bifidobacterium adolescentis after probiotics.
who this applies

Who this applies to

  • Women with a history of gestational diabetes.
  • Participants in a randomized controlled trial.
keep in mind

Keep in Mind

  • Results may not apply to all women with diabetes.
  • Further research needed to confirm long-term effects.
  • Study design limits generalizability to broader populations.
between the lines

Between the Lines

  • Unclear effectiveness for some outcomes.
  • Limited generalizability due to specific population.
  • Potential confounding factors not measured.

Evidence Library

Build your evidence library

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Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

Powered by the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework

This study contributes to evidence on Probiotics and Synbiotics and Fasting Glucose, Probiotics and Synbiotics and HbA1c.

Related evidence relationships

Explore in Evidence Explorer

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

Questions answered by this study

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Do Probiotics and Synbiotics improve adipokine and angiogenic markers?

Strong Evidence

Probiotics and Synbiotics may improve adipokine and angiogenic markers.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Total cholesterol

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

  2. 2

    Triglycerides

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on 10 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.

10 supporting studies
View Full Evidence

Do Probiotics and Synbiotics lower HbA1c?

Strong Evidence

Probiotics and Synbiotics appear to lower HbA1c.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    HbA1c

    EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on 12 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.

12 supporting studies
View Full Evidence

Do Probiotics and Synbiotics improve fasting glucose?

Strong Evidence

Probiotics and Synbiotics may improve fasting glucose.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

    EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on 13 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.

13 supporting studies
View Full Evidence

Do Probiotics and Synbiotics improve inflammatory markers?

Strong Evidence

Probiotics and Synbiotics may improve inflammatory markers.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    C-reactive protein

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on 5 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.

5 supporting studies
View Full Evidence
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Next steps

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Evidence topics

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Supplements and Nutraceuticals Evidence HubFasting Blood Glucose Evidence HubGlycemic Control Evidence HubHbA1c Reduction Evidence Hub

Explore in Evidence Explorer

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All studies on Probiotics and Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)All studies on Probiotics and HbA1cAll studies on Probiotics and C-reactive proteinAll studies on Probiotics and Total cholesterol

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