Rats! No Pepsi for Mom

Posted Jun 11, 2009 by Donna Koehn

Updated Jun 11, 2009 at 02:39 PM

OK, the study involved rats. Let’s admit that upfront.

I’m sure it’s also going to be annoying to hear yet another thing you’re not supposed to do during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. (If you’re reading your sister’s copy of “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” you’re probably already expecting a catastrophe, although I hear the newest edition is less doom-filled.)

But here’s the news anyway: In a study released today involving mice, those mice-mommies that drank high-fructose-spiked water while pregnant or breast-feeding had babies that were much more likely to become overweight and at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes when they grew up.

The rats that fared the worst were those whose mothers received the sweeteners while they breastfed, followed by those whose moms drank it while pregnant. The lucky rodents whose mothers drank only water showed no signs of metabolic disorders.

This held true even though the offspring from all mothers were given regular diets with no extra fructose.

Drinks that contain high levels of fructose are sodas, some sports drinks, lemonade, drinks that aren’t 100 percent juice, and pre-sweetened tea.

Sorry to be the bearer of bitter news.