Is It Safe to Have Energy Drinks while Pregnant and TTC?

Ingredient #1: Caffeine

Popular brand-name energy drinks use lab-made synthetic caffeine for that boost of energy. What is synthetic caffeine exactly? It’s a more concentrated form of caffeine that’s made in labs. It’s important to note that this kind of caffeine is different than the kind you find in, say, natural coffee. But, the verdict on whether any form of caffeine is safe to drink during pregnancy is still out. Some research clears it, while others say it may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes. But, the general conclusion is that moderate caffeine intake is okay. For you caffeine fiends out there, we are defining “moderate” as no more than 200-300 mg per day. This equals about 1-2 cups of coffee a day, depending on the brand, method of brewing, and the size of your cup. But this doesn’t apply to energy drinks – these are synthetic, sugary, and filled with additives. Researchers have yet to study synthetic caffeine intake and its effects on pregnancy. That’s why you’ll find the advisory label on energy drinks that says: “Not recommended for pregnant and lactating women (along with children and those sensitive to caffeine).” Members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics agree. They say pregnant and breastfeeding women should skip energy drinks. How much caffeine is in energy drinks? Now you know the caffeine limit for pregnant women is 200-300 mg a day. Let’s take a look at how much caffeine is in some of the world’s favorite energy drinks. So, what if you’re drinking no more than 200-300 mg of caffeine per day? Shouldn’t you be able to drink at least one energy drink? No. It’s not just synthetic caffeine that’s a concern for pregnant women. It’s also the cocktail of ingredients whose adverse health effects haven’t been studied.

Ingredient #2: Sugar

Did you know that one 8.4 oz can of a Red Bull energy drink has a whopping 27 grams of added sugar? And a 16 oz can of Monster energy drink has 54 grams of added sugar? That’s as much as an entire pint of Häagen-Dazs Chocolate ice cream! (FYI: “Added sugar” means the kind put in during processing, not the kind you find in fruit. It’s more like table sugar, honey, and sugar from concentrated fruit and vegetable juices.) Heart experts say that women should have no more than 25 grams of added sugar per day. One little can of Red Bull and you’ve maxed out your limit for the entire day. And that big can of Monster has twice as much sugar as your recommended daily amount (RDA). So why is excessive sugar a problem for pregnancy? Impact of added sugar on pregnancy Lots of people cut back on sugar intake while pregnant, but not everyone knows why it’s important. This simple carbohydrate has numerous reported negative health problems. Studies show that high simple sugars can increase gestational weight. They can also contribute to other pregnancy complications, such as

• Gestational diabetes
• Preeclampsia
• Preterm birth

Previous pregnancy data derived some info about obesity. Being obese before and during pregnancy increases the chances of obesity in the baby throughout its whole life. Further studies show sugar during pregnancy could change how the baby’s body works and how their taste develops. And it’s not just the ladies. The amount of sugar the father intakes can also affect the child’s metabolism. That’s why it’s key for both mother and father to monitor sugar consumption while TTC. TLDR: high added sugar intake during pregnancy can lead to negative effects on the mother’s health and the child’s health. But what about sugar-free intake? Is it safe to drink sugar-free energy drinks while pregnant? The 411 on sugar-free energy drinks The short of it? Skip the sugar-free, low-carbohydrate energy drinks like Sugar-Free Red Bull. They still have lots of caffeine and other ingredients that aren’t great for pregnancy. Instead of sugar, these drinks use acesulfame-potassium K, sucralose, erythritol, and/or other synthetic zero-calorie sweeteners. These have not been studied enough in pregnant women to clear them as safe.

Ingredient #3: Guarana

Guarana is an Amazonian plant naturally high in caffeine. You’ll find it in an energy drink like Monster or Rockstar. While the fact that it’s a plant and it’s natural may give you a sense of safety, the truth is that we don’t actually know. There’s not enough research on pregnancy-related outcomes to determine whether guarana in an energy drink is safe to consume. So, it’s best to stay away.

Ingredient #4: Taurine

Taurine is a type of amino acid that’s found in foods like beef, poultry, fish, dairy, and other animal products. Similar to guarana, taurine is natural. You may feel like it should get the approval for pregnant women. But very little is known about taurine and pregnancy, both in energy drinks and in supplement form. Scientists do know that artificially supplementing a single amino acid like taurine may be harmful to your metabolism and your kidneys. So that means you should put this amino acid aside until post-pregnancy. Small amounts of caffeine, taurine, and guarana might be okay alone. But, when mixed in with sugary energy drinks, they could create problems for pregnant moms and babies. That’s why we vote to err on the safe side and put a pause on your energy drink habit while pregnant.  But what about before and after pregnancy? Is prepregnancy energy drink use safe? And what about while breastfeeding? Let’s find out.