Energy drinks are all the rage these days, especially with the most recent connection for children being marketed to from You Tubers. But when it comes to energy drinks there are some very obvious questions we should ask about our health verses benefit. They have benefits to a working day, possibly? They give you a quick pick-me-up and can make you feel more focused and ready to go.
There’s a worrying trend where people are searching for this information and what message they receive can be concerning or even dangerous. So let’s drawback the curtain on it and ensure you have the information you need.
‘Can you drink energy drinks while pregnant’
Are energy drinks for pregnant women?
Brief Overview of Energy Drinks and Pregnancy
A lot of people wonder if it’s okay to have energy drinks while pregnant. The problem is, they have a lot of caffeine, sugar, and other things that just aren’t good for you or your baby. When you look at what an energy drink has in it and compare it with some other drinks which are primarily marketed as a sports drink there isn’t an awful lot of difference.
During pregnancy, all drinks with significant levels of caffeine such as coffee, cola and energy drinks should be avoided. It is best to switch to decaffeinated drinks or drinks without caffeine There is no known safe level of caffeine whilst you are pregnant.
It might seem obvious to some people just to say you need a clean and healthy diet and of course this is true. But for some it might feel like really hard work getting through a day- when your energy reserves are depleted and having a can of drink takes the blues away and gives you that much needed pick-me-up (still not the best choice).
What’s the difference between energy drinks and sports drinks?
Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between sports drinks and energy drinks. This confusion can come from how they’re advertised or what’s inside them. But there are two big things that set them apart. Energy drinks are usually full of sugar and have lots of caffeine. On the other hand, sports drinks are all about refilling your body’s minerals (electrolytes) and giving you a bit of energy. It’s important to know these differences, even if the drinks seem kind of similar.
Energy Drinks While Pregnant
So, what’s the deal with energy drinks and pregnancy? We’re going to look at what the experts say, what the science shows, and if there might be any risks or even benefits to having energy drinks while pregnant. We’ll even talk about other options, like our drink, Isomum, that might be a better choice.
The goal here is to help you know what’s best for you and your baby. We want you to have the information you need to make better choices. Can pregnant women have energy drinks, or is it bad to drink energy drinks while pregnant?
Can You Drink Energy Drinks While Pregnant?
Answer: It’s not good to have energy drinks when you’re pregnant. They’ve got a lot of caffeine, sugar, and other things that aren’t good for you or your baby.
There are risks that come with drinking these types of drinks, not just for you outside of pregnancy but these complications become even more apparent or heightened when pregnant.
“1 in 20 women increased their caffeine consumption while pregnant despite evidence that some caffeinated drinks can endanger babies’ lives. The overall risk is small, but our stillbirth research experts are concerned that many people are unaware of – or confused by – this risk. “
tommys.org
Tommy’s has also seen a worrying trend where people are using energy drinks which according to research increases still births and miscarriages’.
In-Depth Explanation:
Risks Associated with Energy Drinks During Pregnancy
“ There is no known safe level of caffeine whilst you are pregnant.“- BMJ
such as coffee, cola and energy drinks should be avoided. It is
best to switch to decaffeinated drinks or drinks without caffeine’
Caffeine Content:
Energy drinks often have loads of caffeine. For a pregnant woman, too much caffeine might cause problems such as not being able to sleep or a faster heartbeat. It might even cause problems for the baby like being born too small or slow development or even not going full term at all, miscarriage- and stillbirths.
“A mug of coffee each day roughly doubles the risk of having
NHS England
stillbirths.”
Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners:
Sugar in energy drinks! It could lead to problems like diabetes during pregnancy and gaining too much weight. Even if the energy drink doesn’t have sugar, it might have fake sweeteners that could be risky when you’re pregnant.
Other Stimulants and Additives:
Some energy drinks have other stimulants in them that we don’t know much about, especially when it comes to pregnancy. It’s just best to be careful!
Recommendations for Pregnant Women
Don’t Drink Energy Drinks:
Choose Alternatives:
Think about other choices like Isomum, a special drink made for pregnant women. It can help you feel better, increased energy- without the sugar, caffeine and all sorts of added ingredients usually developed for busy hectic lifestyles. We have the little ones in mind!
- Decaf drinks
- Herbal Teas
- Water (still or sparkling)
- Juice
Energy Drinks While Breastfeeding
Having energy drinks doesn’t just become a problem during pregnancy; it’s also something to think about if you’re breastfeeding. Just like when you were pregnant, if you’re nursing, you need to think hard about what’s in those energy drinks and if they’re the right choice for you and your baby. The research is low on this topic but we do have an idea on what it can do.
Risks and Precautions of Energy Drinks while Breastfeeding
Caffeine Transmission:
Energy drinks usually have lots of caffeine, and some of that can get to your baby through breast milk. It’s not as much as what you’re taking in, but babies can be really sensitive to caffeine. It might make them fussy or have trouble sleeping.
Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners:
Be careful of all that sugar! It could mess with your diet. And if the energy drink is sugar-free, it might have stuff in it that’s not good for babies. Always read the label, and it might be a good idea to talk to your doctor or nurse about it.
Other Ingredients:
Some energy drinks have other things like herbs or stimulants that we’re not sure about, especially for breastfeeding moms and babies. It’s a bit of a question mark, so being cautious is probably the best plan.
Hydration Concerns You Might Be Feeling
Energy drinks might seem like a good idea for a working and hectic lifestyle, but they’re not the best for keeping you hydrated either. They will make you feel more thirsty and mess with your milk if you’re breastfeeding. The issue with energy drinks is the main ingredients are known to disrupt your electrolytes. Which is bad- OK.
Alternatives Including Isomum
Instead of going for an energy drink, here’s what you could try:
Water, Herbal Teas, and Fresh Juices:
These simple drinks can be great for keeping you hydrated and feeling good, without the worries that come with energy drinks.
Balanced Diet:
Eating right can give you energy in a way that’s good for you and your baby.
Ingredients Breakdown
Want to know what’s in those energy drinks? Let’s break it down:
A. What Ingredients Make Energy Drinks Beneficial?
Caffeine and other stimulants in energy drinks help you feel more awake or even help you at the gym.
But you’ve got to be careful if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding:
Caffeine: Great for waking up (but not during pregnancy or breastfeeding, please!).
B Vitamins: Helps with energy.
Taurine, Ginseng: It is said that these help with energy, but we don’t know enough- especially around pregnancy.
B. What Ingredients Make Them Not Ideal?
Some things in energy drinks that are bad news:
Too Much Caffeine, Sugar, and Fake Sweeteners:
Could cause sleep problems, weight gain, and other issues.
Weird Stimulants and Additives:
We don’t really know what they could do for you or your baby. These are varied and unknown.
Isomum: The Pregnancy-Safe Alternative Energy Drink
Introduction to Isomum:
Isomum is special because it’s made for pregnant women and new mums. It’s not like those other energy drinks with lots of caffeine, energy boosting additions and of course, sugar.
How It Differs from Regular Energy Drinks:
Isomum is different because:
No Caffeine or Sugar: A healthier choice.
Made for Mums: Just what you need when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
All About Hydration: Helps keep you hydrated without the downsides of regular energy drinks.
Benefits of Isomum
Isomum does more than just keep you hydrated:
Keeps Your Body’s Fluids Balanced: That’s important.
No Sugar: That means no extra calories you don’t need.
Just What You Need: Has vitamins minerals and a blended daily supply of other nutrients without the risky parts of energy drinks.
Conclusion
Choosing to have energy drinks when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding is a big problem. But knowing what’s in them and thinking about something like Isomum can help you make the right choice. Isomum focuses on what’s good for you, without the problems you might find in normal energy drinks. So choose wisely and with good information behind that decision.
