Eating the first meal of the day earlier may help reduce overnight glucose levels in people with gestational diabetes, according to a study published in Diabetologia and announced on Mar. 11.
Gestational diabetes affects about one in ten pregnancies in the United States and can increase risks for both mothers and babies. Managing blood sugar is important during pregnancy, and lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise are often recommended.
The study analyzed data from a randomized controlled trial at Oregon Health and Science University between June 2021 and November 2023. Researchers looked at how the timing of the first daily meal affected 24-hour glucose patterns among pregnant individuals diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Participants were divided into two groups: those who ate their first meal before 9:56 a.m. (early eaters) and those who ate later (late eaters). Continuous glucose monitoring was used to track blood sugar changes throughout the day.
Results showed that early eaters had lower nocturnal glucose levels compared to late eaters, with an average difference of about 0.26 mmol/L during sleep. The early-eating group also experienced an earlier shift in their daily glucose rhythm, meaning both peak and low blood sugar levels occurred sooner than those who ate later. However, overall daytime glucose averages did not differ significantly between groups.
The researchers noted that while most overall glucose metrics were similar across groups, the main difference was seen specifically in nighttime blood sugar levels and the timing of daily rhythms. They also pointed out that this analysis was observational rather than a direct intervention on meal timing, so it shows association but does not prove causation.
Although higher overnight glucose has been linked to negative outcomes for babies in previous studies, this research did not directly measure pregnancy or neonatal results. The findings suggest that adjusting when meals are eaten could be a useful strategy for managing gestational diabetes, but more research is needed.
