Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an increasing health risk for pregnant women, and Epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG), an extract from Green Tea, is known to benefit the insulin secretory process. Researcher investigated the effect of daily EGCG supplementation on both maternal and neonatal treatment outcomes in GDM-affected pregnancies in a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. 404 pregnant women in their third trimester of pregnancy were diagnosed with GDM and participated in the study. They were randomly assigned into EGCE and placebo groups, and administered either 500 mg of EGCG or placebo on a daily basis until full term. Maternal diabetic parameters at baseline and full term, including metabolism of glucose and insulin, as well as neonatal symptoms at birth, including birth weight, macrosomia, hypoglycaemia, respiratory distress and Apgar scores were analysed. 326 patients completed the trail. Research found that the patients from the EGCE group displayed significantly improved maternal diabetic parameters, and fewer cases of neonatal complication, compared to the placebo group. They concluded that EGCG supplementation improves both maternal and neonatal treatment outcomes of GDM.
Ahang H, et al. Dietary epigallocatechin 3-gallate supplement improves maternal and neonatal treatment outcome of gestational diabetes mellitus: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2017 March 6. doi: 10.1111/jhn.12470 [Epub ahead of print]