(11-09-10) Diet Soda Found to Cause Premature Birth, Study Says

by Aaron Turpen, citizen journalist


A new research study, which included nearly 60,000 pregnant women in Denmark,
found that those who drink artificially sweetened beverages (carbonated or not)
were more likely to have a premature birth. The study was published in the
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.1

The researchers found that one serving per day of artificially sweetened,
carbonated drinks were 38% more likely to give birth before 37 weeks of
gestation (1.38 AOR). Those who consumed four servings of these drinks were 78%
more likely to have a premature delivery (1.78 AOR).

Dr. Shelly McGuire, a spokesman for the American Society of Nutrition, was
quoted as saying "Certainly, until more experimental work is done, this study
suggests that pregnant women should steer clear of artificially sweetened
drinks."2

Maybe the words "pregnant women" could be replaced with "everyone" in that
statement?

According to a whole host of experts, it should be so. Soft drinks in general,
in fact, should be avoided according to health practitioners and authors
Michael Murray, Joseph Pizzorno, James Duke, Marion Nestle; to name a few.3

The abstract for this latest study by Dr. Thornallur Haldorsson, principal
author, says that soft drinks in general are suspected of many adverse health
effects:

"Sugar-sweetened soft drinks have been linked to a number of adverse health
outcomes such as high weight gain. Therefore, artificially sweetened soft
drinks are often promoted as an alternative. However, the safety of artificial
sweeteners has been disputed, and consequences of high intakes of artificial
sweeteners for pregnant women have been minimally addressed."

Results in the study were cross-referenced with women who consumed sugar-
sweetened soft drinks. It was found that the possible causative was clearly the
artificial sweeteners, rather than the soda or other ingredients. Both
carbonated and non-carbonated drinks were included as well with the same
result.

The actual physical change that causes the rise in premature birth rates is
not known, according to the study's authors. Artificial sweeteners have been
connected to a host of adverse health effects, so it's likely that doctors
could just take their pick here.4 The study did point out that most of the
premature births were due to medical induction rather than spontaneous delivery
and removing data from women diagnosed with preeclampsia also had little effect
on the odds for premature delivery and sweetener intake. With all of the other
things eliminated as suspects by the authors, it's clear that the artificial
sweeteners are changing a fundamental aspect of pregnancy that is usually not
measured.

This could include hormone production, muscular or cellular function, or
another chemical interaction. Aspartame, for instance, breaks down into three
major chemicals: aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol. Methanol oxidizes
into formaldehyde and then formic acid, both of which are toxic. These can
accumulate in the body and have been linked to premature birth in primate
studies.

So, from kidney function loss to cancer to premature birth, these sweeteners
sure do have a lot going for them.

Resources:
1 - Intake of artificially sweetened soft drinks and risk of preterm delivery:
a prospective cohort study in 59,334 Danish pregnant women by Thorhallur I
Halldorsson, et al, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, September 2010

2 - Pregnant women should avoid 'diet' soft drinks: researchers by Rebecca
Smith, The Telegraph, August 19, 2010

3 - The health effects of drinking soda - quotes from the experts by Mike
Adams, NaturalNews

4 - Artificial Sweeteners are Continually Found to be Unsafe and Toxic by
Ethan Huff, NaturalNews


About the author
Aaron Turpen is a professional writer living in Wyoming in the USA. He is also
the Director of Gateway's Needy Animals, a local animal shelter and rescue in
the eastern Wyoming area. His blog covers organic/sustainable living and
environmental considerations at AaronsEnvironMental.com.

Source: NaturalNews

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