This spicy food could lower your risk of gestational diabetes

Bun in the oven? You might want to turn up the heat. 

Research from the University of Buffalo (UB) suggests that eating a fiery fan-favorite dish at least once a month could lower your risk of developing gestational diabetes. 

The blood sugar disorder, which develops during pregnancy, is on the rise — and can bring serious risks for both mom and baby.

A spicy surprise

The American Diabetes Association calls beans “plant-based superstars” thanks to their high fiber and protein power, which has been shown to help keep blood sugar levels steady.

“Our research aimed to study the roles of bean consumption in gestational diabetes, including chili, dried beans and bean soup,” Dr. Xiaozhong Wen, first author of the study and an associate professor of pediatrics at UB, said in a statement.

To find out, scientists analyzed data from 1,397 pregnant women who reported their weekly intake of each dish along with their gestational diabetes status in the third trimester.

“Interestingly, only chili consumption was statistically significantly associated with the risk of gestational diabetes,” Wen said.

Women who ate chili once a month had a 3.5% lower chance of developing gestational diabetes — less than half the 7.4% risk for those who never ate it.

Chili’s diabetes defense

Scientists aren’t totally sure why chili outperforms other bean-forward dishes at preventing gestational diabetes, but they have a few theories.

For starters, chili contains capsaicin — the compound behind its signature heat and burn.

The dark beans used in chili also tend to have higher levels of phenolic compounds than lighter beans.

In both human and animal studies, capsaicin and phenolic compounds have shown promise in managing blood sugar by slowing glucose absorption and boosting insulin sensitivity, Wen explained.

“Moderate chili consumption may be incorporated into a balanced diet approach to addressing gestational diabetes, along with other clinical recommendations, such as early screening, diagnosis, exercise and medications as needed,” he advised.

But chili doesn’t need to take center stage. Researchers found that one monthly serving helped lower risk, but eating it more often didn’t add significant benefits.

Gestational diabetes, explained

Gestational diabetes happens when pregnancy hormones interfere with the body’s ability to use or produce insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

If high blood sugar during pregnancy isn’t controlled, it can increase health risks for mom — including a greater chance of preeclampsia and C-section.

Babies can be affected, too. Infants born to mothers with unmanaged gestational diabetes are more likely to arrive early, weigh more than average, have breathing difficulties and experience low blood sugar after birth — which, in severe cases, can lead to seizures.

Both mom and baby also face a slightly increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.

The condition is becoming more common: diagnoses rose from 6% of pregnancies in 2016 to 8.3% in 2021, according data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Want to lower your risk, but chili isn’t your thing? The Mayo Clinic a high-fiber, low-fat diet that prioritizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins.

Cut back on sugary drinks and sweets, stay active, and if needed, even small amounts of weight loss can make a meaningful difference.

If you do get diagnosed, don’t stress — most cases of gestational diabetes can be managed with simple lifestyle tweaks, and most moms go on to have healthy pregnancies and babies.