Can PFAS exposure during pregnancy increase your risk of gestational diabetes?

What's actually in it

PFAS from nonstick cookware, food packaging, stain-resistant fabrics, and drinking water accumulate in your body over time. During pregnancy, these stored chemicals can interfere with how your body handles insulin and blood sugar. Gestational diabetes affects 1 in 7 pregnancies and can lead to complications for both mother and baby.

What the research says

A 2026 meta-analysis in J Hazard Mater pooled data from multiple studies to examine the link between PFAS exposure and gestational diabetes. The results showed that women with higher PFAS levels had a greater risk of developing gestational diabetes and showed disrupted glucose control during pregnancy.

PFAS may damage the pancreas's ability to produce enough insulin and make cells less responsive to insulin, both of which lead to high blood sugar. Since gestational diabetes raises the risk of preeclampsia, large birth weight babies, and type 2 diabetes later, this link is concerning.

Before and during pregnancy, reduce PFAS by filtering your water, ditching nonstick pans, and avoiding fast food wrappers. These steps help protect your blood sugar control.