Is it okay to drink energy drinks while pregnant? & bull; hello healthy

Being pregnant may make you feel tired and thirsty quickly. This may make you want to drink energy drinks while pregnant to make your body fresher. However, don't drink energy drinks carelessly while pregnant. This drink may pose a greater risk than you can receive.

Drinking energy drinks during pregnancy can have a bad effect

Drinking energy drinks is usually high in calories, high in sugar, caffeine, and sodium. These four things can cause you harm if they get into your body in excessive amounts. Pregnant women actually don't need energy drinks during pregnancy. So, you better avoid it. Instead of drinking energy drinks during pregnancy, it's better for you to drink plenty of water and you can also drink coconut water occasionally to reduce fatigue during pregnancy.

The following are the bad effects of energy drinks during pregnancy.

Calories in energy drinks

Pregnant women do need a lot of calorie intake during pregnancy to support fetal growth and development. However, excess calories obtained from energy drinks are also not good for pregnant women. This can actually make pregnant women overweight, thereby increasing their risk of experiencing pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. Instead of getting additional calories from energy drinks that are zero nutrition, it is better for pregnant women to get additional calories from nutritious foods.

Caffeine in energy drinks

Energy drinks contain up to 242 mg of caffeine per serving. This is a higher amount than coffee in general. Of course this is not a good thing. Too much caffeine in the body of pregnant women can interfere with the sleep patterns of the baby in the womb, it can even cause limited growth of the baby and miscarriage. Caffeine can cross the placenta and enter the baby's body. In fact, the baby's body cannot fully digest caffeine.

Pregnant women can consume caffeinated drinks, but in very small amounts. Consumption of caffeinated beverages is limited to 150-300 mg per day for pregnant women. Avoiding caffeinated drinks, such as energy drinks during pregnancy, is certainly safer for pregnant women and their fetuses.

Sugar in energy drinks

Energy drinks also contain high sugar levels. This added sugar intake is certainly not good. Although pregnant women need a lot of energy from sugar, added sugar will only make pregnant women gain excess weight. Added sugar is also not good for pregnant women with gestational diabetes, where she has to keep her blood sugar levels in check. This drink can actually make the condition of pregnant women with gestational diabetes worse.

Sodium in energy drinks

Energy drinks contain a lot of sodium. One can of energy drinks usually contains more than 300 mg of sodium (a fairly high amount). Meanwhile, pregnant women may have to limit their sodium or salt intake. Excess sodium intake can cause fluid buildup in the mother's body, making her feet and hands swell easily. So, it is important for you to reduce or even avoid drinking energy drinks while pregnant.