Link Between Premature Birth and Diet Sodas Suggested

< Aug. 25, 2010 > -- New research from Denmark suggests that drinking one or more artificially sweetened, carbonated diet sodas a day boosts a woman's odds of premature delivery.

However, researchers found no association between the premature delivery and the intake of carbonated drinks sweetened with sugar.

The study is published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Daily Diet Soda Intake Studied

Clinical investigators looked at the soft drink habits of nearly 60,000 Danish women enrolled in a national study there from 1996 to 2002.

They found a link between the intake of diet carbonated drinks and, to a lesser extent, diet noncarbonated drinks and delivering a baby early.

The researchers defined preterm as delivering before 37 weeks' gestation. They categorized the women into groups depending on beverage drinking habits: those who never drank soft drinks or those who drank less than one per week, one to six per week, one each day, two or three per day, or four or more daily.

Early delivery occurred in 4.6 percent of the women, and one-third of those deliveries were medically induced.

Those who had one or more carbonated diet drinks a day were 38 percent more likely to deliver early.

Specific factors linking diet drinks to early delivery are not known, but researchers speculate that the link may be driven by high blood pressure disorders in pregnancy. They note that other studies have found a link between soft drinks and high blood pressure in non-pregnant women.

Beverage Industry Response

Industry groups have stepped up with responses addressing the results of the clinical study.

Beth Hubrich, R.D., of the Calorie Control Council says, "As a dietitian (and mom) I am deeply concerned that this information may unduly alarm pregnant women. The overwhelming majority of scientific literature shows that low-calorie sweeteners are safe for use in pregnancy."

Maureen Story, Ph.D., senior vice president for science policy at the American Beverage Association, says, "The authors themselves acknowledge the fact that their findings cannot demonstrate cause-and-effect."

Experts Recommend Caution

But other experts say pregnant women may want to take heed of the study results. In a statement, Shelley McGuire of the American Society of Nutrition, says the findings "may be really important in terms of preventing premature births, especially those that are medically induced by a woman's health care provider."

She recommends water, juices, and milk as primary beverages of choice during pregnancy.

Dr. Alan R. Fleischman, medical director of the March of Dimes, says that "pregnant women should eat smart and make sure that most of their food choices are healthy ones. Artificially sweetened drinks don't make most lists of healthy foods. As the authors point out, additional research is needed to understand the impact of these beverages on pregnancy and fetal development. Until that is clear, it is prudent for pregnant women to drink these beverages in moderation. They also should discuss with their doctors their risk of preterm birth and the signs and symptoms of preterm labor."

Always consult your physician or other healthcare provider for more information.

Nutrition During Pregnancy

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), about 300 extra calories are needed daily to maintain a healthy pregnancy. These calories should come from a balanced diet of protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains with sweets and fats kept to a minimum. A healthy, well-balanced diet during pregnancy can also help to minimize some pregnancy symptoms such as nausea and constipation.

The American Dietetic Association (ADA) recommends the following key components of a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy: appropriate weight gain, consumption of a variety of foods in accordance with the Food Guide Pyramid, and appropriate and timely vitamin and mineral supplementation.

Fluid intake is also an important part of healthy pregnancy nutrition. Women can take in enough fluids by drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water each day, in addition to the fluids in juices and soups. An expectant mother should talk with her physician about restricting her intake of caffeine and artificial sweeteners. All alcohol should be avoided in pregnancy.

The US Public Health Service recommends that all women of childbearing age consume 400 micrograms (0.4 mg) of folic acid each day. Folic acid, a nutrient found in some green, leafy vegetables, most berries, nuts, beans, citrus fruits, fortified breakfast cereals, and some vitamin supplements can help reduce the risk of birth defects of the brain and spinal cord (called neural tube defects).

The most common neural tube defect is spina bifida (in which the vertebrae do not fuse together properly, causing the spinal cord to be exposed) which can lead to varying degrees of paralysis, incontinence, and sometimes mental retardation.

Folic acid is most beneficial during the first 28 days after conception, when most neural tube defects occur. Unfortunately, many women do not realize they are pregnant before 28 days. Therefore, folic acid intake should begin prior to conception and continue through pregnancy. Your physician will recommend the appropriate amount of folic acid to meet your individual needs.

Most physicians will prescribe a prenatal supplement before conception, or shortly afterward, to ensure all of the woman's nutritional needs are met. However, a prenatal supplement does not replace a healthy diet.

Always consult your physician or other healthcare provider for more information.