Artificial Sweeteners and Pregnancy

A recent animal study published in the journal Gut suggests that consuming low calorie artificial sweeteners while pregnant or breast feeding could lead to higher body fat levels in infants and an increased risk for obesity later in life.

The animal study aimed to examine the impact of the maternal consumption of sweeteners on the body weight, glucose tolerance and gut microbiota of offspring. Researchers analyzed 150 female Sprague-Dawley rats during pregnancy and lactation and their offspring up to 18 weeks after birth. Findings suggested that regular consumption of artificial sweeteners while pregnant increased body fat in offspring at weaning and body weight long-term. The researchers also believe that these sweeteners could be responsible for disrupting the gut microbiome of offspring.

“The results of our study assessing maternal consumption of aspartame and stevia are consistent with emerging human evidence from observational studies that low calorie sweetners intake is associated with increased body mass index (BMI) and cardiometabolic risk,” the study reads.

More research is needed to confirm the impact on humans but for now the safest course is to limit or, better, avoid artificial sweeteners while pregnant or nursing.