
A new research at the University of Auckland, New Zealand
has revealed that a pregnant mom's cravings for sweet food during pregnancy
seems to affect an unborn female fetus more than it would affect a male fetus. Eating too much sugar during pregnancy can
harm the nutrients that reach the unborn female fetuses. Tests on other mammals
also showed that sugar intake had different effects on their unborn male and
female children.
During the study, researchers gave female fetuses of mice the equivalent of 26
teaspoons of fructose solution per day. Fructose is a natural sugar found in
honey, fruits and some vegetables. It
was found that those with a high sugary diet had smaller placentas than those
on a low sugar diet.
Lead author of the study, Dr. Mark Vickers said,
"The findings highlighted the effects of a 'marked increase' in sugar
consumption by pregnant women. There has been a marked increase in the
consumption of fructose-sweetened beverages and foods, particularly among women
of reproductive age."
Source: Medindia