When these parents were questioned on their consumption of diet sodas (or the artificial sweetener known as aspartame) during pregnancy and breastfeeding, researchers discovered a very interesting pattern.
Consumption of the aforementioned sodas directly revealed that boys whose mothers drank these beverages were three times more likely to have autism than boys whose mothers didn’t consume diet soda during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Interestingly enough, however, no such correlation exists when factoring in girls whose pregnant or breastfeeding mothers drank diet soda.
More research from the medical community
In light of these findings, medical officials continue to encourage ongoing research. This will ultimately reveal more information, including additional factors that could cause autism in young boys. Other details about girls with autism may even emerge amid further review.
In the meantime, due to aspartame’s regular presence within diet sodas, mothers remain advised to be careful with these drinks while pregnant or breastfeeding.
