Consumption of sodas based on the sweetener aspartame by pregnant women is associated with the development of autism spectrum disorder in the boys they give birth to. This conclusion was reached by researchers from a public academic health research center in San Antonio (USA). results published In Nutrient magazine.
235 families participated in the research. At least one child in each family has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The scientific study also included data from 121 families with non-autistic children. Researchers collected information about the amount of diet soda women consumed during pregnancy. Thus, scientists were able to track how much of the artificial sweetener aspartame the mothers of the children participating in the study consumed daily. Women also reported whether they consumed low-calorie sweeteners in tablet or powder form.
The results showed that mothers of boys with autism drank three times more diet soda during pregnancy than mothers of boys without autism. Additionally, an increase in the amount of aspartame consumed has been associated with a child being more likely to develop severe autism. However, no relationship was found between carbonated drinks and ASD in girls.
It was noted that the research results did not indicate that aspartame triggered autism. The study design does not allow any causal conclusions to be drawn from the data. However, scientists have raised concerns about the potential neurological effects of diet soda consumption by pregnant women on the fetus.
Previously recognizedThe waist area is the easiest for women to get pregnant.