Washington, Dec 1 (IANS) Beware of gulping down too many colas, particularly if you are pregnant. More than five servings of such sugar-sweetened drinks per week before pregnancy seems to heighten the risk of developing diabetes subsequently.
Liwei Chen, assistant professor of epidemiology, Louisiana State University (LSU), said “those who consumed more than five servings per week of sugar-sweetened cola had a 22 percent greater gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk”.

GDM, defined as glucose intolerance beginning during pregnancy, is one of the most common pregnancy complications.

“This is the first study on the impact of sugar-sweetened beverages on GDM risk,” notes Chen. “This finding is important because sugar-sweetened beverages are the leading source of added sugars in the American diet, particularly in the age group most likely to conceive.”

“Cutting down sugary drinks is clearly an important way to reduce this common pregnancy complication,” adds Chen.

The research team studied a group of 13,475 women from the Nurses’ Health Study II. During 10 years of follow-up, 860 GDM cases were identified.

After adjustment for known risk factors for GDM including age, family history of diabetes, parity, physical activity, among others, intake of sugar-sweetened cola was positively associated with GDM risk.

Women with GDM are at increased risk for complications and illness during pregnancy and delivery, as well as post-pregnancy type-2 diabetes. Children born to such women are also at increased risk for obesity, glucose intolerance and diabetes, says an LSU release.

Previous studies in children and adults have shown that regular consumption of sugary drinks is associated with excess caloric intake, greater weight gain, and increased risk of obesity. Sugary drinks have also been linked to type-2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders.

These findings are slated for publication in the December issue of Diabetes Care.