High-Protein Pregnancy Diet Linked to Less Favorable Childhood Cholesterol: Study
Denmark: Researchers have found in a recent study that children born to mothers who consumed a high-protein, low-glycaemic index (HPLGI) diet during pregnancy had higher total cholesterol, LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and LDL-to-HDL cholesterol ratios up to 9 years of age compared with children whose mothers followed a moderate-protein, moderate-glycaemic index (MPMGI) diet. The findings suggest that maternal diet during pregnancy may have long-term effects on a child's cardiovascular health.
The study, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, was led by Christina S. Mogensen from the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and colleagues. The researchers examined whether consuming an HPLGI diet during pregnancy influences children's body composition and metabolic health nearly a decade after birth.
For the randomized controlled trial, pregnant women with a pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) of 28-45 kg/m² were randomly assigned to either an HPLGI diet or an MPMGI diet. Among 208 live-born children, 114 participated in follow-up assessments at 9 years of age. The evaluation included fasting blood samples, continuous glucose monitoring for up to 14 days, and detailed body composition measurements using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
The trial revealed the following findings:
- Children whose mothers followed the high-protein, low-glycaemic index (HPLGI) diet during pregnancy had 0.30 mmol/L higher total cholesterol at 9 years of age than those in the moderate-protein, moderate-glycaemic index (MPMGI) group.
- Offspring in the HPLGI group also had 0.24 mmol/L higher LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels.
- Differences in LDL cholesterol widened with age, indicating that the effects of maternal diet on lipid metabolism may become more apparent during childhood.
- Children exposed to the HPLGI diet had slightly higher bone mineral density than those in the MPMGI group.
- Glucose regulation did not differ significantly between the two groups.
- Body fat mass and adipose tissue distribution were comparable in both groups.
- Continuous glucose monitoring showed similar glucose homeostasis, suggesting no significant differences in blood glucose control between the groups.
The researchers said the mechanisms behind the cholesterol changes remain unclear. Limitations included high loss to follow-up, potential selection bias, parent-reported pubertal status, missing dietary data, and limited power to assess long-term offspring outcomes. Key strengths included comprehensive assessments of diet, physical activity, sleep, glucose metabolism, and body composition.
Overall, the findings suggest that a high-protein, low-glycaemic index diet during pregnancy may adversely affect offspring lipid profiles. The researchers called for long-term studies to determine whether these changes persist and increase future cardiometabolic risk.
Reference:
Mogensen, C.S., Magkos, F., Chabanova, E. et al. Maternal high-protein/low-glycemic-index diet during pregnancy impairs offspring lipid profile–a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Nutr 65, 203 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-026-04032-5
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