Abstract
The consumption of soft drinks has increased considerably during the last decades. Among them, the cola-based preparations are possibly the refreshments with the largest sales worldwide. During the previous years, important concerns have been raised about the effects of colas on human health. In this review, we introduce the cola effects on reproduction including pregnancy miscarriages, ovulatory and menstrual disorders, and reduced semen quality. Although caffeine intoxication may be thought to play the most important role, a component of cola other than caffeine, or in combination with caffeine, may be associated with increased risk of reproductive hazards in heavy cola (> 1 L per day)-consumers. Cola discontinuation usually leads to an uneventful recovery in the most cases suggesting justification of limitations in the maximum recommended daily dose of these soft drinks. Cola is not an essential beverage, and abstaining from drinking more than 1 L per day is a minor intrusion in one’s personal life. Despite these uncertainties, this growing know- ledge may alarm the fertility risk of chronic cola intake in peoples of childbearing age.
Highlights
The consumption of soft drinks has increased considerable during the last decades
In addition to the possible detrimental effects of chronic cola consumption, several lines of evidence suggest that the chronic consumption of large amounts of cola-based soft drinks may increase the risk of reproductive problems such as decreased fetal growth, preterm delivery, and spontaneous abortion [13,14,15,16]
Weng et al [45] demonstrated, in their prospective cohort study, an elevated risk of miscarriage associated with caffeine consumption during pregnancy and a doseresponse relationship with most of the risk associated with caffeine consumption at 200 mg or greater per day
Summary
The consumption of soft drinks has increased considerable during the last decades. Among them, the colabased preparations are possibly the refreshments with the largest sale worldwide. In addition to the possible detrimental effects of chronic cola consumption (enamel softening [1,2], bone demineralization [3,4], hypokalemic myopathy [5,6,7], development of metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus [8,9,10], and chronic kidney diseases [11,12]), several lines of evidence suggest that the chronic consumption of large amounts of cola-based soft drinks may increase the risk of reproductive problems such as decreased fetal growth, preterm delivery, and spontaneous abortion [13,14,15,16] Results from these epidemiological studies suggesting the association between cola consumption and such outcomes have been conflicting and the available information is incomplete and remains controversial. With the aim of evaluating the available epidemiological evidence of the effect of cola consumption on reproductive quality (see Table 1), a systematic qualitative review was conductive
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