IL6 and gestational diabetes: Phytochemicals may enhance insulin sensitivity by improving beta-cell function, reducing inflammation (e.g., polyphenol down-regulation of IL-6/TNF-α), mitigating oxidative stress (e.g., carotenoid activation of the Nrf2 pathway (22)), and modulating gut microbiota (e.g., fiber-induced SCFA production enhancing insulin signaling), all of which are critical pathways in the pathophysiology of GDM (20, 21).