Diet Soda Linked to Preterm Birth

Diet Soda Linked to Preterm Birth

Soda is not recommended during pregnancy because of a number of reasons. One of the reasons is because it increases weight. It is loaded with sugar and too many calories for a woman’s liking. This is why many women tend to drink diet soda thinking that it will avoid weight gain issues completely. However, a recent study has revealed something baffling. Claim Your 20 Free Pregnancy Tests – Click Here

Diet soda and premature birth

According to the research, women who drank diet soda during pregnancy had the higher risk of preterm birth. There is no need to mention what this means. A preterm birth can lead to a number of problems for your baby such as developmental defects. Are you sure you want to take such a huge risk? Think about it.

Percentage of premature birth

The study was a national study in which more than 60,000 women participated. The experts checked and kept a track of all of their soda drinking habits. There were also women in the study who never drank diet soda at all.

When the results were compared, it was found that women who drank diet soda gave birth to preterm babies mostly. Most of these babies were actually born in the 37th week of gestation itself! The percentages were baffling, indeed. Women who drank one can of soda daily apparently had 38 percent more chances of giving birth prematurely.

Women who drank around four drinks or more had a very significant chance – 78 percent – of giving birth prematurely! The figures speak for themselves and if you are smart, you will take the clue.

High blood pressure and diet soda

However, when carbonated beverages sweetened with sugar were taken into account, there was no relationship between them and preterm birth. This was actually surprising. Thus, further research was carried out and it was found that the link between preterm delivery and diet soda was mainly aided or fuelled by high blood pressure in the pregnant ladies.

In non-pregnant women though, there was no link between high blood pressure and diet soda. Thus, it is only during pregnancy that this happens.

Drink sensibly

While there are many who say that there is no link and pregnant women should not be worried, the research is very significant. You simply can’t ignore the odds. Yes, you will feel very thirsty throughout your pregnancy but there are numerous other healthy drinks to choose from, too. You don’t have to depend on diet soda especially because it carries a risk.

The risk may not have been proven affirmatively but the unearthing of a risk is bad enough to scare you. Do you really want to be as unfortunate as to find out the hard way? Surely, not. Thus, you should stay safe and prefer safe and healthy drinks during pregnancy.

Water is the best fluid to take

Water is the best fluid to take. The more water you drink during pregnancy the better for you. There is no denying that fact. Besides water, you could drink healthy and fresh fruit juices. If you like milk, go ahead and drink milk too. It will keep you healthy and quench your thirst at the same time.

Lemonade is another good choice. You have numerous options. Choose the healthy ones and avoid those that carry risks.

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Maureen Stephens, BS, RN
Maureen Stephens, BS, RN | ConceiveEasy
Ms. Stephens has spent over twenty years in the healthcare world, specializing in obstretical and medical/surgical nursing. She joined ConceiveEasy as she has a strong interest in educating and empowering women and promoting fertility awareness.

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