Consuming artificially sweetened beverages increases BMI of infants, says study
Posted on: 11/May/2016 11:41:45 AM
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Manitoba has said that pregnant women who drink artificially sweetened beverages are more likely to have overweight infants than those who do not. The researchers found that when pregnant women consumed artificially sweetened beverages on a daily basis, there was a higher risk of having an over weight one year old. The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Paediatrics.
Say the researchers, To our knowledge, we provide the first human evidence that maternal consumption of artificial sweeteners during pregnancy may influence infant BMI. The report was based on self-reported survey data. Therefore, it stops short of proving any cause and effect, but should encourage more research into the matter.
3000 mothers logged their dietary habits. These were, then, analysed by the researchers. At age one, the infant’s BMI or body mass index was measured. The researchers said, (We) controlled for potential confounding factors that could play a role in the baby`s weight, such as the infant`s sex, whether or not the mother was overweight, and whether or not the infant was breastfed and for how long.
Some research has found that artificial sweeteners may trigger the appetite and lead to weight gain, or may interfere with important gut bacteria and raise the risk of heart problems. However, data from observational studies is often conflicting. The current findings (are) intriguing but also preliminary because they relied on questionnaires, which can contain errors. Also, the study did not explore the biological mechanisms at play. Despite these caveats, the findings by Azad et al warrant attention and further research. Randomised clinical trials substituting artificially-sweetened beverages for sugar-sweetened beverages or, equally valuable, water for artificially-sweetened beverages would be particularly helpful.
