The pregnancy can exhaust a woman. Fatigue is common during the first trimester. In the third trimester, the weight of the baby can also make the expecting mother very tired. Having an energy drink is tempting for pregnant women. However, the amount of sugar, caffeine, and sodium that every energy drink contains should make you think twice before you drink that energy drink.

Is It Safe to Drink Energy Drinks During Pregnancy?

In general, energy drinks and pregnancy don’t go together. Pregnant women are not recommended to drink energy drinks while carrying a child. The following ingredients that every energy drink contains may harm you and your baby.

1.   Synthetic Vitamins and Minerals

In general, energy drinks contain a lot of synthetic vitamins and minerals. They are made in poor quality and can be even toxic to your body. Just to make this even worse, many synthetic vitamins and minerals are contaminated with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). They are associated with birth defects and cancer.

2.   Caffeine

Consuming moderate levels of caffeine while pregnant will not harm your baby. However, if you do consume energy drinks regularly while pregnant, then your body will get over-saturated with caffeine. Some studies have linked caffeine to miscarriage and other pregnancy problems. Make sure to avoid energy drinks containing high amounts of caffeine while pregnant. 

3.   Refined Sugar and Artificial Sweetener

This is another reason why energy drinks and pregnancy don't go together. Refined sugar is very toxic to body and one of the major contributors of autoimmune disorders and cancer. All energy drinks contain high levels of refined sugar, meaning that you should best avoid them while pregnant.

Today, there are many sugar-free energy drinks. However, these sugar-free energy drinks are just even worse as they contain artificial sweeteners instead of refined sugar. One of the most common artificial sweeteners used in energy drinks is sucralose. This is a chlorinated compound with similar properties like insecticides. This artificial sweetener has been linked to many health problems. Try to avoid energy drinks containing artificial sweeteners.

4.   PH Level

Energy drinks are acidic; the pH level is about 3. The normal pH level of the human blood is about 7.3 and when it drops below 7.0 the blood is becoming acidic. The blood cells will not carry the necessary amount of oxygen, making you feel very tired. 

5.   Sodium

Pregnant women should not restrict the sodium intake. But in the last stages of pregnancy, fluid retention might occur because of excessive sodium consumption. Then cutting out sodium is necessary for the health of the mother. However, energy drinks usually contain plenty of sodium, making energy drinks and pregnancy a bad couple. Drinking plenty of fluids a day is recommended as excessive sodium will be flushed out of the human body.

6.   Other Ingredients

Energy drinks contain ingredients like ginkgo, taurine, milk thistle, carnitine, inositol, etc. The effect of the ingredients on pregnancy has not been well studied. So there are chances that they are harmful to the baby. 

Healthy Ways to Boost Energy During Pregnancy

Since energy drinks can cause harm to you and your baby, you should try other ways to boost energy.

1.   Exercise Regularly

Regular physical exercise is very important for your well-being. Physical exercise will improve your circulation, delivering more oxygen to the entire body. This will directly raise your energy levels. With regular physical activity, your body will produce more endorphins which make you feel good. If you do feel good, then you will have less stress and cope with the pregnancy better. You can choose whichever physical activity you prefer, starting from yoga, swimming, walking, etc. Don’t push yourself too hard; remember that you are pregnant. Gentle exercises for about 30 minutes every day will help you boost your energy naturally.

2.   Eat Healthy Foods

A healthy diet is very important for the health of a pregnant woman. The diet should contain essential nutrients, minerals and vitamins.

• Fresh fruits, whole grains, mushrooms, legumes, dark and green leafy vegetables, sweet potato, and nuts should be a part of your diet. These foods are all full of energy-supplying complex carbs.
• Lean proteins will help you maintain and strengthen the muscle mass. Consume fish and skinless poultry regularly.
• Healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids should be a part of your diet.

3.   Consume Plenty of Water Daily

When you are pregnant, the water requirements are higher than normal. According to WHO, pregnant women should consume about 4.8 liters of water a day. You will not need to actually drink about 5 liters of water a day, as other foods that you consume during the day contain water too. Simple water is better than any other beverages. Remember that energy drinks and pregnancy don't go together. If drinking simple water is just impossible for you, try a decaffeinated tea. 

4.   Relax

Stress is not good, especially while you are pregnant. Try to relax as much as possible and avoid stressful situations. Worrying about pregnancy is normal, especially for those women who will be mothers for the first time. However, think positively and relax. Different relaxation techniques work for different women. Mediation and breathing exercises are good choices.

5.   Sleep Well 

If you want to boost your energy, you should get enough sleep. Most people need about 8 hours of sleep. However, pregnant women need more sleep, including nap times during the day. If you are having difficulties sleeping, try to get into a comfortable position. Listen to your body and take a rest every time you feel you need it.