Being Pregnant
Diet Soda Linked To Premature Births
Well, I suppose it was only a matter of time for this one.
The latest suspect in the investigation of premature birth: carbonated, artificially sweetened beverages. In other words, that Diet Coke or Pepsi that may well be sitting on your desk.
(gulp.)
The new study was funded by the EU and polled 60,000 women, concluding that risk of premature birth increased with the amount of diet drinks the expecting mom consumed during pregnancy. A single diet soda a day was associated with a 38% increased risk of birth before 37 weeks. Heavy diet soda drinkers upped their risk of premature birth by 78%.
Diet soda has always been a question mark in pregnancy. It was never exactly given a green light, but not totally discouraged, either.Unlike some other questions (ie, alcohol) this one was generally considered to be relatively innocent until proven guilty. Whether or not that changes as a result of this study remains to be seen. The usual disclaimers apply: self-reporting study, lack of specificity about which sweeteners were used, early research, etc.
Carbonated drinks with sugar did not increase risk of preemie births. So moms with soda cravings may want to consider this an encouragement to go Regular instead of Diet. Or cool off with a frosty glass of…water.
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3 Comments
PlumbLucky commented on Jul 20 10 at 10:17 amSo is it because of the diet soda, or other factors not related to diet soda exactly but common to those who drink diet soda? Quite curious myself.
I am SO sick of drinking water right now. Pretty much all I drink right now.
liamjones commented on Jul 20 10 at 10:44 amI’m curious too, though water is important and must be part of everyday drinks, just that soda is for divertisment or so :) Web Design
BEscobedo commented on May 15 11 at 12:03 amWhen I need a little fiz, I drink a little ginger ale and when water gets boring I’ll mix half a glass of water with my favorite fruit juice. Keeps the fluid levels up :)
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