A new study, published in the journal Epidemiology, found that drinking one or more sugary beverages per day may significantly decrease fertility for both men and women.
Researchers from Boston University School of Public Health in Massachusetts surveyed 3,828 women between the ages of 21 and 45, as well as 1,045 of their male partners. They collected data on the participants’ medical history, lifestyle, and diet. The women in the study completed follow-up questionnaires every 2 months for one year or until they became pregnant, whichever came first.
The study found that women who drank at least one soda per day had a 25 percent lower monthly chance of conception than women who consumed fewer sugary beverages. Men who drank at least one soda per day had a 33 percent lower probability of conceiving with their partner than men who consumed less. The findings held true even with controlling for factors such as obesity, caffeine intake, alcohol consumption, smoking, and overall diet.
The researchers also found an association between drinking sweetened energy drinks and reduced fertility, but stated that these findings should be interpreted with caution as these results were based on a small number of participants. Also of note, they did not find a significant association between drinking fruit juices or diet sodas and reduced fertility.
The adverse health consequences of consuming too much soda have long been known. Most soda beverages contain high amounts of sugar, which can lead to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Now, a possible link to reduced fertility is another reason to give up this sugar habit.
I agree with the authors of this study, who recommended that couples who are trying to get pregnant limit drinking sugar-sweetened beverages to avoid affecting their odds of successfully conceiving. Reducing soda and overall sugar intake is beneficial for fertility and your overall health.