Autism is a complex neurological disorder that affects many individuals worldwide. The latest statistics indicate an alarming rise in the number of autism cases from 1 in 150 individuals in 2000 to approximately 1 in 59 individuals today being diagnosed with the disorder. This means that more and more families are being affected by this condition, underscoring the need for greater awareness and support. While the exact causes of autism are still not fully understood, ongoing research is working towards shedding light on this issue.
A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio has found a potential connection between the consumption of diet soda and aspartame-containing foods and drinks by pregnant or breastfeeding women and a higher risk of autism diagnoses in their sons.
The small study analyzed the reported aspartame consumption of the mothers of 235 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, comparing the results to a control group of 121 children with typical neurological development. The findings showed that boys with autism were more than three times as likely to have been exposed to aspartame-sweetened products on a daily basis during pregnancy or while being breastfed.
Aspartame is commonly used as an artificial sugar substitute in low-calorie and sugar-free products, including soft drinks, chewing gum, and flavored water. Previous studies have shown that it may cause migraines, depression, heart disease, cognitive, behavioral, and developmental issues, and the development of dementia, diabetes, and cancer. Additionally, it has been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma.
Lead author Sharon Parten Fowler emphasized that the study does not prove causality, but it does raise a “major warning flag” about the potential risks associated with maternal intake of diet sodas and aspartame during pregnancy or nursing. However, the study only observed these associations in boys with autism disorder, not in girls or those with less severe conditions on the autism spectrum.
“We also saw these associations for boys with autism disorder, but not for all boys with any autism spectrum disorder (ASD) — an umbrella category that includes less severely life-changing conditions, such as Asperger syndrome, as well as the potentially more severe conditions categorized as autism disorder,” Dr, Fowler, PhD, adjunct assistant professor of medicine at UT Health San Antonio, told Fox News Digital.
While the study had limitations, such as collecting dietary data retrospectively, Fowler stressed the need for larger prospective studies to better understand the relationship between aspartame consumption and autism risk.
Previous research has also highlighted health risks associated with consuming diet sodas and beverages during pregnancy, including increased risk of prematurity, overweight, and obesity. Sweeteners in these drinks have been found in amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood, suggesting they can cross the placental barrier.
“This proves that when a woman drinks these diet sweeteners, they make it into the womb itself, and the fluid in which the child is floating. They may even become more concentrated there than in the mother’s blood,” Dr, Fowler noted.
It is estimated that between 24% and 30% of pregnant women consumed diet sodas and/or diet sweeteners
“But when the mother drinks these products, she’s drinking for two,” Dr, Fowler added.
Given the concerning rise in autism diagnoses and the prevalence of pregnant women using diet sodas and sweeteners, Fowler recommends avoiding aspartame-containing drinks as a precautionary measure. Instead, pregnant or nursing women should choose water and add natural flavorings like fruit juice or mint leaves for a healthier alternative.
While more research is needed, women can take steps now to protect their children based on the available data. Drinking water and avoiding aspartame-containing products is a proactive way to prioritize your child’s health and development.
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