How diet drinks may fizzle out your fertility
ARE you fond of fizzy drinks or diet soda breaks? Do you prefer sugar in your brew for a sweetener? If so, your ‘diet’ beverage could be messing with your pregnancy plans.
Did you know, artificial sweeteners are chemical-based and all the sodas and sugary drinks are made of artificial sweeteners? There are so many things to think about when you’re trying to increase your chances of conceiving.
But did you know or ever think that maybe your daily intake of soft drinks can affect your chances of having a baby?
Couples planning a pregnancy should consider limiting their consumption of these beverages, especially because they are related to other adverse health effects. Research has shown women undergoing fertility treatments found that frequent consumption of the artificial sweeteners, commonly found in these beverages, significantly decreased their chances of conceiving a child.
Sugared sodas and diet sodas are among the most popular beverages consumed by reproductive aged men and women. Research has shown that drinking one soda per day is linked with a 20-25% reduction in the average monthly probability of conception for both men and women.
Soda and infertility
Studies have found that excessive consumption of soda is strongly linked to infertility in both men and women. Men who consume soda regularly are at four time’s the risk of lowering the sperm count, motility, and other parameters that affect fertility.
Besides the above-mentioned direct effects of soda consumption on fertility, there are various other ways in which the consumption of soda affects fertility, like:
◆ Soda is extremely high in sugar content which leads to excessive weight gain, obesity, poor digestion, etc which is bad for fertility.
◆ Soda intake could cause subfertility through increased risk of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, weight gain, impaired fasting glucose which can affect ovulation and risk of polycystic ovarian syndrome.
◆ Sodas and soft drinks are also rich in chemicals like additives, preservatives, colourants, etc. which are also bad for fertility.
◆ Soda intake leads to ovulatory infertility among females and lower sperm concentration and total sperm count among males.
◆ Excessive soda consumption increases blood sugar levels and can lead to type 2 diabetes which is not only bad for fertility but can also result in complications during pregnancy.
◆ Soda consumption disrupts the hormonal levels in the body, including oestrogen, which can also contribute to infertility.
So, ditch the diet drinks. In order to boost your baby-making chances, eat more eggs, green leafy vegetables, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight; stop smoking, and decrease your alcohol and soda intake.