Does diet soda make babies come early?
Consumption of Artificial Sweetener Acesulfame Potassium Increases Preterm Risk and Uterine Contraction with Calcium Influx increased via Myosin Light Chain kinase - myosin Light Chain 20 related Signaling Pathway.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Scientists looked at a sweetener called Ace K, found in diet drinks, and saw that in animals, it made uterine muscles contract more and caused inflammation. In 613 pregnant women, those who ate more of it were more likely to have babies early.
Surprising Findings
Ace K altered expression of contractility-related proteins in the uterus — a direct biological mechanism not previously linked to artificial sweeteners.
Most assume artificial sweeteners only affect taste or metabolism; this suggests they may directly interfere with uterine muscle biology.
Practical Takeaways
Pregnant women concerned about preterm birth might consider reducing or eliminating diet sodas and low-calorie products containing Ace K.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Scientists looked at a sweetener called Ace K, found in diet drinks, and saw that in animals, it made uterine muscles contract more and caused inflammation. In 613 pregnant women, those who ate more of it were more likely to have babies early.
Surprising Findings
Ace K altered expression of contractility-related proteins in the uterus — a direct biological mechanism not previously linked to artificial sweeteners.
Most assume artificial sweeteners only affect taste or metabolism; this suggests they may directly interfere with uterine muscle biology.
Practical Takeaways
Pregnant women concerned about preterm birth might consider reducing or eliminating diet sodas and low-calorie products containing Ace K.
Publication
Journal
Molecular nutrition & food research
Year
2022
Authors
Yi-Fen Chiang, Hsin-Yuan Chen, Yu-Han Lai, Mohamed Ali, Y. Chen, S. Hsia
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Claims (4)
Scientists test artificial sweeteners on animals using way more than humans would ever eat, then say it’s safe for people by dividing that huge dose by 100—but that doesn’t match how much people actually consume.
If pregnant women eat or drink more of the artificial sweetener Acesulfame Potassium, they might be more likely to have their baby too early.
Studies on animals suggest that if they’re given a lot of Acesulfame Potassium over a long time, their uteruses contract more strongly and the proteins that control those contractions change in some way.
Eating or being exposed to the artificial sweetener Acesulfame Potassium might cause the body to release more inflammatory signals in animals, which could affect the uterus in a way that leads to inflammation.