Occasional drinking during pregnancy could be harmful: Study

A new Australian study has suggested that even small amounts of alcohol consumed occasionally could cause insulin-resistance during pregnancy, which increases the likelihood of diabetes and could be harmful.

The study on rats mimicked 'special occasion drinking', such as a family barbeque or birthday party, where a pregnant woman might be encouraged to have one or two alcoholic drinks.

University of Queensland (UQ) scientist Lisa Akison said male rats exposed to this low level of prenatal alcohol showed signs of becoming diabetic at around six months old.

"We only gave alcohol to the mother rats on two days during their pregnancy," Akison said, addding "Their blood alcohol concentration only reached 0.05 per cent, and yet their male offspring recorded higher than normal insulin levels."
"The other factor is hormone changes as offspring grow into adulthood. In this case, we know that oestrogen protects against insulin-resistance, and because males don't have high oestrogen, they don't experience the same protection."
"More research is needed to establish any definitive link between alcohol and insulin resistance in humans."