High sugar diet in pregnancy affects girls more than boys

Researchers at the University of Auckland, NewZealand, suggest that excess sugar can block essential nutrients from reaching female fetuses, unlike male fetuses who are least affected by a sugary diet.

Tests on other mammals showed that too much of sugar intake had different effects on unborn male and female fetuses, the Telegraph reports.

"This is the first time that it has been suggested that female and male fetuses react differently to maternal fructose consumption, and that these sex-specific changes may be associated in changes in placental development," the Science Daily quoted lead author Dr Mark Vickers as saying.

Study details and findings
For the present study, Mark Vickers, PhD, of the University of Auckland in New Zealand, along with his colleagues conducted an experiment on laboratory mice in which female fetuses of rats were fed 26 teaspoons of fructose solution, natural sugar found in honey, fruit and some vegetables, a day.

At the same time, some female rats were given a dummy treatment or a placebo.

Researchers found that only the fructose-fed rats had higher leptin, fructose, and blood glucose levels than their control counterparts.

Male and female off-springs of fructose-fed rats had higher plasma fructose levels and were hypoinsulinemic.

It was also found that female fetuses of rats had smaller and lighter placentas compared to those on low sugar diet.

This suggests that excess sugar intake blocks important nutrients, the study authors wrote.

Dr. Mark Vickers claims that the study findings highlighted the effects of a "marked increase" in sugar consumption by pregnant women, the TOI reports.

He said, "There has been a marked increase in the consumption of fructose-sweetened beverages and foods, particularly among women of reproductive age.

"This is the first time that it has been suggested that female and male foetuses react differently to maternal fructose consumption, and that these sex-specific changes may be associated in changes in placental development."

Further research needed
Researchers are now conducting follow-up trials to confirm that mother's diet before conception, and during pregnancy and lactation affects their daughter's growth, age they reach puberty, and reproductive capacity.

Deborah Sloboda, PhD, also of the University of Auckland and co-author of the study, said, "Further studies are now critical to establish the long-term effects of maternal fructose intake on the health and well-being of offspring and whether this study's observed sex differences elicit different risk profiles for metabolic disease into the post-weaning period.”

"Rather than being a cause for alarm, our results highlight the potential for women to positively influence their children’s future health by making sensible and balanced nutritional choices before and during pregnancy," she added.