Can You Drink Soda When Pregnant? (2023)

Share on Pinterest

Whether you're exhausted from tossing and turning all night adjusting to your growing belly, or you're just craving an ice-cold Coke, you've probably been wondering if it's safe to drinking soda while pregnant.

At least there is onelong listof "no's" when it comes to what you can and can't eat or drink when you're expecting it. And sodas often contain caffeine, sugar, and artificial sweeteners.

So before you open a can, here's everything we know about the safety of drinking soda while pregnant.

Is the Caffeine in Soda Safe During Pregnancy?

What the research says

Most studies suggest that moderate amounts of caffeine (less than 200 milligrams (mg) per day) will not harm your pregnancy, but the research is not conclusive.

That's because doctors have known for a long timemany, many yearsBecause caffeine crosses the placenta, its effects on your pregnancy and growing baby are less clear.

Many studieson the link between caffeine and its risks such as miscarriage are somewhat limited. Some had small sample sizes, while others had data subject to memory bias: many subjects were questioned (rather than observed) about their habits.

Other research did not consider other factors (aside from caffeine) that might increase the risk of miscarriage.

And remember, "miscarriage" doesn't have a standard definition in terms of how far along you are, although it's usually thought of as a first-trimester pregnancy loss.

The data were also sometimes contradictory.

For example,a fairly large study from 2008found no association between caffeine consumption and miscarriage, no matter how much was consumed.

Butanother in the same year tatfound an increased risk of miscarriage with higher caffeine consumption when pregnant women consumed 200 mg per day or more.

Several nowstudieswho studied the link between caffeine consumption and preterm birth,including one in 2007, did not find that moderate caffeine consumption increased the risk of preterm birth.

Also loudAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), there is no conclusive evidence that caffeine decreases blood flow to the uterus, oxygen levels to the fetus, orbirth weight.

For this reason, current ACOG guidelines for pregnant women state that they can consume moderate amounts of caffeine as long as it is 200 mg or less per day.

For comparison, a 12-ounce can of Coke has about 35 mg of caffeine, and a 12-ounce can of Mountain Dew has about 54 mg.

However, it is important to acknowledge that research is ongoing and ACOG guidelines are subject to change.

For example in August 2020,Some experts calledafter that for a changea new analysisexisting research has established thisanyCaffeine consumption could increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight, or childhood acute leukemia.

However, remember that literature reviews are not the strongest sources of data from which to draw conclusions.

Ultimately, it's up to you whether you want to drink caffeinated soda during your pregnancy.

Some people prefer to play it extra cautiously and skip coffee and soda. But if you're willing to indulge in small amounts every now and then, it probably won't harm your pregnancy.

Just make sure you keep your total caffeine intake under 200mg - and don't forget to count all sources e.ggreen tea,Chocolate, AndCoffee.

Also consider how caffeine affects your body

Caffeine is a stimulant. While it can help you stay awake on a day when you're feeling particularly tired, it can also increase your blood pressure and heart rate.

As your pregnancy progresses, your body may not break down caffeine as quickly, so it could make it harder for you to sleepheartburn, or make yourself nervous.

So if you find that caffeine is affecting you more than it used to before you became pregnant — and you're feeling uncomfortable — you might want to consider avoiding it.

Is the Sugar in Soda Safe During Pregnancy?

What the research says

In general, whole-sugar sodas aren't great: They're pretty much all chemicals and calories, with no nutritional value. So they can make you feel full while not benefiting you or your growing baby.

Sugary drinks, including soda, should also be avoided if this is the casegestational diabetesor may have a higher risk of developing it.

That's because gestational diabetes can cause complications for both you and your baby. Your baby could be too big, increasing the risk of a difficult birth. Also, larger babies can have trouble controlling their blood sugar after birth.

Gestational diabetes also increases your riskhigh blood pressureduring pregnancy andputs you in dangerthe development of type 2 diabetes after birth.

There's also research that suggests that too much sugar, especially from sugary sodas, can affect your pregnancy and your baby's development even after birth:

• AStudy 2012found that drinking more than one sugar-sweetened or artificially sweetened beverage per day could increase the risk of preterm birth.
• Research from 2018found that those who consumed large amounts of sugar, particularly sugar-sweetened sodas, had babies growing up with poorer nonverbal problem-solving skills and poorer verbal memory.
• results from itStudy 2017suggest that sugary drinks consumed during pregnancy may reduce children's chances of developing asthma by age 8.
• Andanother studysuggested that drinking sugary beverages in the second trimester might affect body fat in mid-infancy children.

For this reason, it is recommended that you keep an eye on your sugar intake during pregnancy and avoid sugary drinks like soda.

Are Artificial Sweeteners Safe In Diet Soda During Pregnancy?

Saccharin (found in Sweet 'N Low) is not recommended as it crosses the placenta and thereis not enough researchto show how it affects a growing baby.

However, most artificial sweeteners are approved by theFood and Drug Administration (FDA), including aspartame, acesulfame-K, and sucralose (Splenda), are generallysurely believedduring pregnancy in moderation.

The only exception is if you havePhenylketonurie, a rare genetic condition that affects your ability to process the amino acid phenylalanine, a component of aspartame.

For pregnant people with this condition, it can increase the risk of birth defects.

Of course, not much research has been done on whether all artificial sweeteners cross the placenta or affect a baby's development. But some existing research suggests that theycouldhave long-term effects.

AStudy 2018proposed that diet sodas affect children's motor, visual, and spatial skills in early childhood and their verbal skills in middle childhood.

Just a note: This study included self-reported data—and the participants were not racially or economically representative of the US population.

Another one nowlearnfound that artificial sweeteners could give a child twice the chance of becoming overweight by the age of 1 year. But even this study can be problematic. The authors used infant BMI (body mass index), which is not necessarily the best indicator of infant height and health.

So is diet or decaffeinated soda better?

Maybe - but they're still not recommended.

Diet and decaf sodas contain a number of chemicals, and in general it's best to avoid chemicals during pregnancy whenever possible — especially as research continues.

For example,FDA sea, some carbonated drinks may contain small amounts of benzene, which is a carcinogen.

Others have phosphoric and citric acid, two well-known chemicalserode tooth enamel. Pregnant women are already at increased risk of tooth decay and gingivitis due to elevated hormones, so they should avoid these.

What to drink instead

Staying hydrated is really important during pregnancy. Here's what you can drink instead of soda:

normal water

In general, it is recommended that you drink8 to 12 cupswater per day, although the amount of water each trimester increases as you add calories to your diet.

Also, be careful when drinkingmany mineral watersalthough. They shouldn't be taken daily, and many are high in sodium salts, which can cause swelling.

Seltzer water or carbonated water

Both are safe to take during pregnancy — and the blisters might even help with nausea, especially in the first trimester.

water with taste

Commercially flavored waters are better than soda...though many still contain sugar, artificial sweeteners, or chemicals that you'll probably want to reduce.

But you can definitely create your own flavored water by adding a slice of lemon, cucumber, ginger, or mint to a glass of water.

You can also buy a water bottle or pitcher of fruit egg and make your own berry flavored water.

Smoothies

Not only canSmoothiesThey can be refreshing, but they can also be a great way to increase your food intake, especially if you make them fresh every morning.

If you add Greek yogurt, they can also help relieve heartburn symptoms.

Just keep an eye on your sugar consumption.

Milch

Milchis an excellent source of calcium and vitamins.

If you are lactose intolerant (or vegan), you can also drink soy milk or other alternatives. It is best if you choose the ones that have added calcium if you want maximum benefits.

Some teas

Teesmay be safe during pregnancy - just check the ingredients. Not all herbal teas are safe, and some teas contain caffeine (so be sure to drink in moderation).

In general, however, these teas are considered safe:

• ginger tea
• lemon tea
• mint tea

The final result

During pregnancy, it's generally considered okay to drink a soda once in a while.

However, you should make sure you don't drink sodas too often, as they contain caffeine, sugar, or artificial sweeteners. Too much caffeine and sugar can negatively impact your pregnancy — and research suggests there could be longer-term effects, too.

Additionally, sodas can unnecessarily expose you and your growing baby to chemicals while providing no nutritional value, and research into artificial sweeteners is ongoing.

For this reason, many people avoid sodas during pregnancy and instead opt for water, seltzer, teas, milk or smoothies.