Consuming just one fizzy drink a day reduces couples’ chances of conceiving by more than 30 per cent, research suggested in February 2017.
Men who drink at least one sugary soda a day reduce their chances of fathering a child by 33 per cent, a study found.
Women who drink just one sugar-sweetened fizzy beverage a day are 25 per cent less likely to become pregnant in any given month, the research adds.
Previous research suggests eggs and embryos may fail to thrive in high blood glucose environments. Sugar has also been linked to erectile dysfunction in men.
Lead author Professor Elizabeth Hatch from Boston University, said: ‘We found positive associations between intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and lower fertility, which were consistent after controlling for many other factors, including obesity, caffeine intake, alcohol, smoking and overall diet quality.
‘Couples planning a pregnancy might consider limiting their consumption of these beverages, especially because they are also related to other adverse health effects.’
Infertility affects around 11 per cent of women and nine per cent of men of a reproductive age in the US.
In the UK, around one in seven couples have difficulty conceiving.
The researchers analysed 3,828 women and 1,045 of their male partners, who enrolled in the study between June 2013 and May 2017, and were followed until pregnancy or for up to 12 menstrual cycles.
The couples were not using fertility treatments and had only been trying to conceive for six months or less.
Both the male and female participants completed a food questionnaire that covered their intake over the past four weeks, including their soda, fruit juice and energy drink consumption.
Every two months for up to a year, or until they became pregnant, the women were asked if they were expecting.