According to a newly published study in the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,” pregnant Danish women who consumed at least four servings of artificially sweetened carbonated soft drinks each day were at a 78 percent higher risk of preterm birth. In the researchers own words, “Our findings suggest that the daily intake of artificially sweetened soft drinks may be associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery.”
The researchers further note on a potential mechanism, explaining that “aspartame is broken down in the body to produce aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol. A study with primates indicated that low dose methanol exposure may reduce the gestation period.” (Neurotoxicol Teratol., 2004, Vol. 26, pp. 639-650).
And once again, the artificial sweetener industry has nixed a new study that doesn’t help to line their pockets, calling this new study “misleading” and “not plausible scientifically.” According to an article on foodnavigator.com, Beth Hubrich, a dietitian with the Calorie Control Council, goes so far as to say, “This study may unduly alarm pregnant women.”
Really, Ms. Hubrich? Shouldn’t pregnant women be alarmed by the idea of harming their unborn babies? Whatever happened to erring on the safe side when it comes to our healths and the healths of those we love?
Sources:
