Pregnant women almost always find themselves feeling tired and fatigued, but should you try energy drinks as a fix? Feeling this way is normal because during pregnancy the body is adapting and adjusting to a lot of things. More blood is being produced, heart rate is increasing, your metabolism is using up energy every moment, and the body is burning up more water and nutrients.
The baby-building factory inside a pregnant woman’s body is working 24/7, making them more prone to feeling sleepy and exhausted a lot of times during the day. Even in this case, pregnant women cannot just lie down in bed all day, they still need to do certain tasks to keep themselves productive. During those worn-out moments, can a pregnant woman gulp in an energy drink for a quick energy boost?
Energy drinks serve as “energy boosters” made for people who feel the need to have a quick surge to increasing stamina and physical performance. The most common ingredients in this beverage are caffeine, sugar, taurine, Guarana, Glucuronalactone, and other stimulants. These are responsible for the increased energy spurt you feel when you drink an energy drink, and at the same time, can pose harmful effects on a pregnant woman and the baby in utero. Although some of the ingredients are safe during pregnancy in moderation, energy drinks have these in high doses, especially caffeine, which is a cause for concern.
Looking at the main ingredients of an energy drink, the safety of this beverage is questionable, especially in pregnant women. Studies show that some energy drinks even have higher caffeine content than a cup of coffee. Caffeine in high amounts is known to be harmful to pregnant women because it can increase the risk of miscarriage and other pregnancy complications.
Can I Drink Energy Drinks While Pregnant? Answer: Not Recommended
While it is true that an energy drink can give you an instant energy lift, it is not worth the risk for pregnant women. When you consume this energy drink, the caffeine and other stimulants work to stimulate your nervous system, which causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. This may cause insomnia, headaches, muscle tremors, or gastrointestinal problems. Since caffeine passes through the placenta, your little one might experience the same effects. The ingredients found in an energy drink may lead to a number of pregnancy complications such as miscarriage and difficult birth. They may also cause some negative effects to your newborn such as having a low weight at birth and having a faster heart rate.
The Healthy Way To Boost Your Energy
It is totally natural to feel fatigued during your pregnancy, but energy drinks are not the only option you have to feel revved up again. Aside from its ingredients’ harmful effects to you and your baby, the energy boost it provides only works for a short time. Consider foods that have real nutritional value and will give long-lasting energy-boosting effects.
Milk, eggs, cheese, soy products, and lean meat are high sources of protein that will keep you going through the day. Fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain products contain carbohydrates that give energy. Dark green leafy vegetables, dried fruit, and lean red meat are good sources of iron to fuel up your energy and keep your iron levels elevated.
Other Disadvantages of Drinking Energy Drinks
Aside from the high content of caffeine in energy drinks, the other ingredients found in them also pose threats to one’s health — whether or not they are pregnant. There has been an association between these beverages and anxiety disorders because of the high dose of stimulants in them. Heart diseases have also been linked due to the combination of caffeine with other stimulants such as guarana and taurine. Effects of abnormal heart rhythms, nausea, and frequent emergency room visits have been reported to be caused by high consumption of energy drinks.
Energy Drinks Have Some Positive Effects, Too
Some energy drinks contain vitamins and herbal ingredients that have been proven to be beneficial in the past. Traditionally, guarana has been used to prevent blood clots and treat diarrhea. It is also believed to improve memory, combat aging, and increase sexual libido. Taurine regulates heartbeat, prevents cell over-activity in the brain, and lowers blood pressure. Other beneficial ingredients are B Vitamins, Milk Thistle, Creatine, L-Carnitine, and Vitamin C, which have positive effects.
