Last updated September 2, 2026
Key finding
1 h postprandial glucose following breakfast was -20% (95% CI -28%, -11%) lower in the early third trimester compared with the placebo group under controlled conditions.
This study evaluated the impact of pre-meal whey protein on glycaemic management in women with gestational diabetes, finding significant reductions in postprandial glucose levels.
Quick read
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Short-Term (≤3 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
This study evaluated the impact of pre-meal whey protein on glycaemic management in women with gestational diabetes, finding significant reductions in postprandial glucose levels.
Effective glycaemic management is crucial for women with gestational diabetes to reduce risks for both mother and baby. The findings suggest that incorporating whey protein into their diet may improve blood sugar control, potentially leading to better pregnancy outcomes.
The study did not assess long-term effects beyond the intervention period. Sample size and demographic diversity may limit generalizability. No significant differences were found in blood pressure or gestational weight gain.
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Stine S, Nikolaj R, Per GO, et al. Pre-meal whey protein improves glycaemic management in women with gestational diabetes. Diabetologia. 2025;69(2):350-363. doi:10.1007/s00125-025-06587-0
1 h postprandial glucose was -20% lower in the early third trimester (p=0.001).
1 h postprandial glucose was -15% lower in the late third trimester (p=0.001).
Glycaemic variability (CV%) was lower in the whey protein group.
Evidence network
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
This study contributes evidence to whey protein 20g and 1 h postprandial glucose (early third trimester), 1 h postprandial glucose (late third trimester), Diastolic blood pressure, and 5 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
whey protein 20g
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.
5
Related topics
8
Evidence pairs
1007
Related studies
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Save studies and evidence pages, organize your personal Evidence Tracker, and keep the research you care about in one place.
Primary evidence
Evidence topic
matched_outcome
Related evidence
Evidence topic
Save evidence
Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
whey protein 20g → 1 h postprandial glucose (early third trimester)
whey protein 20g → 1 h postprandial glucose (early third trimester)
whey protein 20g → 1 h postprandial glucose (late third trimester)
whey protein 20g → 1 h postprandial glucose (late third trimester)
whey protein 20g → Diastolic blood pressure
whey protein 20g → Diastolic blood pressure
whey protein 20g → Gestational weight gain
whey protein 20g → Gestational weight gain
whey protein 20g → Incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension during pregnancy
whey protein 20g → Incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension during pregnancy
whey protein 20g → Mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE)
whey protein 20g → Mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE)
whey protein 20g → Systolic blood pressure
whey protein 20g → Systolic blood pressure
Evidence Library
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
Evidence Library
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.
Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on whey protein 20g and Postprandial and OGTT Glucose, whey protein 20g and 1 h postprandial glucose (early third trimester).
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Diet and Nutrition
Diet and Nutrition
Diet and Nutrition
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
All studies measuring Postprandial and OGTT Glucose
Measures Postprandial and OGTT Glucose as a key outcome.
All studies on whey protein 20g
Contributes to whey protein 20g evidence base.
All studies measuring 1 h postprandial glucose (early third trimester)
Measures 1 h postprandial glucose (early third trimester) as a key outcome.
All studies measuring Blood Pressure
Measures Blood Pressure as a key outcome.
Latest published studies
Published within the last 2 years.
Jump to pre-filtered views in Evidence Explorer.
2 results
1 results
2 results
2 results
1 results
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
whey protein 20g appears to improve glucose iauc (OGTT).
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
Glucose iAUC (OGTT)
EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
whey protein 20g appears to improve 1 h postprandial glucose (early third trimester).
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
1 h postprandial glucose (early third trimester)
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
whey protein 20g appears to improve 1 h postprandial glucose (late third trimester).
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
1 h postprandial glucose (late third trimester)
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
whey protein 20g appears to improve mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE).
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE)
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 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.
Follow the topics this study contributes to.
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.
