Diet drinks linked to higher gestational diabetes risk.
Drinking 5+ diet beverages weekly may increase gestational diabetes risk by up to 88%.
Why it matters
- Gestational diabetes can cause complications for mother and baby.
- It affects 14% of women globally and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes later in life.
By the numbers
- Study analyzed 3,653 women.
- Frequent diet drink consumption linked to 88% higher risk of gestational diabetes.
- Dose-response relationship: more diet drinks, greater risk.
The big picture
- Findings suggest frequent diet drink consumption during pregnancy may increase gestational diabetes risk.
- Could influence dietary recommendations for pregnant women or those planning pregnancy.
What they're saying
- Study is observational; can't prove causation.
- Women drinking diet beverages may already have health issues confounding results.
Caveats
- Self-reported data may be inaccurate.
- Only diet sodas and cordials considered; artificial sweeteners in other foods not accounted for.
- Observational study can't establish causation.
What’s next
- Further studies, including randomized controlled trials, needed to clarify risks.