Do artificial sweeteners bring on early birth?

Beverages with artificial sweeteners could lead to premature delivery

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2 MIN READ

Mothers-to-be who down cans of fizzy beverages containing artificial sweeteners could be at greater risk of having a premature baby. Research funded by the EU found a correlation between the amount of diet beverages consumed and an early birth among the 60,000 women studied.

Many had switched from sugary drinks to those with artificial sweeteners, believing they were a healthier option. But this study suggests that drinks using sweeteners, such as aspartame, carried dangers for the unborn child.

Consume lesser

It is rare for a mother-to-be to give birth before 37 weeks of a normal pregnancy. But the EU research suggests this low risk was increased by 38 per cent if the woman was drinking, on average, one can of diet beverage a day. Routinely drinking four or more could increase the risk by as much as 78 per cent.

However, the researchers said in a report in the journal of the American Society for Clinical Nutrition that there was no link associated with sugar-sweetened beverages.

They suggested that exposure to methanol, which is present in some artificial sweeteners, may play a role in bringing forward the birth.

Critics of the sweeteners say methanol is a known nerve toxin, which can form formic acid in the body. It can also lead to formaldehyde, the chemical used to preserve corpses. Historically, saccharin has also been identified as accumulating in the placenta.

Public health expert Professor Erik Millstone, of the University of Sussex, said: I would think it is prudent for pregnant women to diminish consumption of these beverages and foods containing artificial sweeteners.

According to British Soft Drinks Association officials, the study merits a cautious reaction. Its findings should not be overstated.

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