From the Guidelines
Diet sodas should be consumed in moderation during pregnancy, as the artificial sweeteners used in them are considered safe by regulatory agencies, but excessive consumption may pose potential risks. The FDA has approved nonnutritive sweeteners such as acesulfame potassium, aspartame, neotame, saccharin, and sucralose for use in the U.S., including for pregnant women 1. However, it's essential to note that diet sodas provide no nutritional value and may contain caffeine, which should be limited to less than 200mg daily during pregnancy.
Some key points to consider:
- Artificial sweeteners are considered safe in moderation by regulatory agencies 1
- Diet sodas provide no nutritional value and may contain caffeine, which should be limited during pregnancy
- The acidic nature of carbonated beverages may worsen pregnancy-related acid reflux
- Instead of diet sodas, focus on drinking water, milk, or natural fruit juices in moderation
The most recent and highest quality study available is from 2008, which states that nonnutritive sweeteners are safe when consumed by the public, including people with diabetes and women during pregnancy 1. While there is no conclusive evidence of harm, a cautious approach is recommended to minimize unnecessary chemical exposure during pregnancy. Therefore, it is recommended to limit diet soda consumption to occasional small servings, rather than daily consumption.
From the Research
Potential Harm of Diet Sodas During Pregnancy
- The consumption of diet sodas during pregnancy has been linked to potential harm to the offspring, including increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and metabolic disorders 2, 3.
- A study found that prenatal exposure to aspartame, a common artificial sweetener used in diet sodas, led to alterations in metabolic parameters, such as increased glucose, LDL, and triglycerides, in offspring 2.
- Another study suggested that daily consumption of diet soda or aspartame during pregnancy may increase the risk of autism in males, with odds ratios of 3.1 and 3.4, respectively 3.
- However, some studies have found that the consumption of non-caloric sweeteners, including aspartame, during pregnancy and lactation is considered safe, as long as they are consumed in moderation and within acceptable daily intake levels 4, 5.
Mechanisms of Potential Harm
- The exact mechanisms of potential harm are not fully understood, but proposed mechanisms include alterations in intestinal microbiota, induction of oxidative stress, and dysregulation of appetite and reward responses 6.
- Aspartame has been shown to break down into three moieties: aspartic acid, methanol, and phenylalanine, which may pose a risk to the fetus, although some studies have found no evidence of risk 5.