Drinking Soda During Pregnancy – Is It Safe?

Can you drink soda while pregnant? Alcohol may not be an option for pregnant women as it can harm their baby during pregnancy, but a lot of moms-to-be drink soft beverages like soda, soft drinks, mocktails, etc. While drinking these beverages during pregnancy is safe when consumed in moderate amounts, these drinks have their own side effects. Drinking excessive soda during pregnancy can have some adverse effects on you and your baby. High consumption of sugary drinks like soda can contribute to excessive weight gain, increase the risk of gestational diabetes, and potentially affect the baby’s future preferences for sweet tastes, influencing their dietary choices later in life. Continue reading to learn more.

Can You Consume Soda During Pregnancy?

Drinking fresh lime soda during pregnancy is good if you’re not overboard. An occasional soda is not likely to harm you in any way. Let us find out more aspects about drinking soda while pregnant.

How Much Soda Can You Drink While Pregnant?

During pregnancy, it is safe to drink one or less than one serving (1 serving = 330 ml) of soda or diet soda per day. However, one must be extra careful when consuming soda during pregnancy’s first trimester.

Whether you consume soda containing sugar or artificial sweeteners, the caffeine in soda can be refreshing, but it can be harmful to the foetus. A study by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists shows that a pregnant woman should not consume more than 200 mg of caffeine per day. One serving of soda has between 32-42 mg of caffeine. Hence, if you limit your daily consumption of soda to one serving per day, you are safe.

Which Contents of Soda Can Harm Your Unborn Baby?

Soda is a brew made from a mix of several ingredients. Here are a few of the ingredients in soda that can affect you and your baby:

1. Caffeine

Soda is high in caffeine, which is known to raise one’s blood pressure. It can also cause insomnia, which can cause constipation and dehydration in the mother-to-be. This is harmful to the baby’s motor and nervous system development. Consumption of more than 300 mg of caffeine a day may lead to miscarriage, and the consumption of more than 500 mg of caffeine in a day can cause chronic high breathing in a baby at birth.

2. Sugar

Steady insulin levels are essential for the optimal growth of the baby. The sugar present in sodas increases blood sugar levels, which can cause an insulin burst. Consuming large amounts of sugar can also lead to obesity, which can lead to miscarriage or cause health problems like congenital disabilities in the baby.

3. Carbonated Water

Soda is made from the carbonation of high-pressure water and carbon dioxide, and carbon dioxide is the main ingredient that causes the fizzy bubbles in the drinks. This carbonated water present in the soda is detrimental to your bone health and can cause issues like back pain as your bones gradually become too weak to support your growing belly. Plain carbonated water contains only gas, but some manufacturers also add in minerals like potassium and sodium. Sodium causes a spike in blood pressure, which can be dangerous for your body.

4. Artificial Sweetener

Plain soda contains large amounts of sugar, whereas diet soda contains artificial sweeteners – they are harmful in their own regard. Aspartame, a non-saccharide artificial sweetener used in diet sodas, can cause disabilities in babies if consumed excessively. Drinking diet soda, contrary to popular belief, is as harmful as drinking regular soda during pregnancy.

5. Flavouring Agents

Even if a soda doesn’t contain caffeine, it will most likely contain some flavour – phosphoric acid is one of the flavouring agents present in sodas. This phosphoric acid can affect the calcium in your bones and make them brittle.

Harmful Effects of Drinking Soda During Pregnancy

Listed below is a summary of the harmful effects of consuming soda during pregnancy:

1. Loss of calcium from bones due to the carbonated acid and phosphoric acid (flavouring agent)
2. Increase in blood pressure due to the presence of sodium in carbonated water
3. It can cause birth defects such as congenital disabilities
4. The excessive consumption of sugar and artificial sweeteners may lead to obese babies
5. It may also lead to a miscarriage

A 2018 study suggests a negative relationship between consuming sodas during pregnancy and the baby’s brain development. The study found that when mothers-to-be consumed more sugar during pregnancy, especially in the form of sodas, their children grew up with poor non-verbal and problem-solving skills along with poor memory. The study also showed that the effects were just as bad with diet sodas – consuming it during pregnancy was linked to poorer visual motor, spatial, and fine motor abilities in babies.

Alternatives to Soda in Pregnancy

During pregnancy, opting for healthier alternatives to soda can be beneficial for both the mother and the baby. Below are several alternatives to soda that can provide refreshing options without compromising maternal health or fetal development.

1. Infused Water

Enhance water with fresh fruits like lemon, berries, or cucumber for a flavorful, hydrating substitute is a great alternative to drinking soda in pregnancy.

2. Herbal Teas

Chamomile, ginger, or peppermint teas offer soothing and naturally caffeine-free options.

3. Sparkling Water

Enjoy the fizz without the sugar by choosing unsweetened, naturally flavoured sparkling water.

4. Fresh Fruit Juices

Diluted with water, fresh fruit juices provide natural sweetness and essential nutrients.

5. Coconut Water

High in electrolytes, it’s a hydrating and refreshing beverage.

6. Homemade Smoothies

Blend fruits, leafy greens, and yoghurt for a nutritious, satisfying drink rich in vitamins and minerals.

FAQs

1. Can Consuming Soda While Pregnant Lead to ADHD?

There’s ongoing research about the effects of consuming soda during pregnancy on the development of ADHD in children. Some studies suggest a potential link due to the high sugar content or other additives in soda, but more research is needed to establish a direct causal relationship.

2. Can Soda Help With Pregnancy Morning Sickness?

While some women find relief from mild nausea or morning sickness by sipping on soda due to its carbonation or ginger ale due to ginger’s potential soothing effect, it’s not a universal remedy. High sugar content in soda might exacerbate nausea in some cases. Consulting with a healthcare provider for appropriate remedies is advisable.

3. Does Drinking Soda When Pregnant Lead to Complications During Childbirth?

Drinking soda during pregnancy may not directly cause complications during childbirth, but excessive consumption can contribute to issues like excessive weight gain or gestational diabetes, which might indirectly affect childbirth. It’s essential to moderate intake and consider healthier alternatives for overall well-being during pregnancy.

Soda might be a refreshing replacement for alcoholic drinks, but it is not worth the risk when it comes to you or your baby. So, limiting the consumption of soda ensures the healthy growth of the child and also prevents any congenital defects in the child during delivery. Drinking plenty of water during pregnancy is a good idea. Fresh fruit juice and milk are also good choices for both hydration and nutrition in stead of combining soda and pregnancy.

References/Resources:

1. Black. M; Is diet soda ‘bad’ for you?; The Ohio State University; https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/blog/is-diet-soda-better-for-you-than-regular-soda; August 2023

2. Caffeine During Pregnancy; American Pregnancy Association; https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/caffeine-intake-during-pregnancy/

3. Palatnik. A, Moosreiner. A, Stichelen. S. O; Consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners during pregnancy; American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology; https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(20)30385-9/fulltext#%20; April 2020

4. Morgan. S, Koren. G, Bozzo. P; Is caffeine consumption safe during pregnancy?; Can Fam Physician.; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3625078/; April 2013

5. Vitti. F. P, Grandi. C, Cavalli. R. D. C, et al.; Association between Caffeine Consumption in Pregnancy and Low Birth Weight and Preterm Birth in the birth Cohort of Ribeirão Preto; Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet.; PubMed Central; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30536269/; December 2018

Also Read:

Drinking Alcohol during Pregnancy
Drinking Sparkling Water in Pregnancy
Can You Drink Wine While Pregnant?
Drinking Non-alcoholic Beer when Pregnant
Healthy and Refreshing Drinks During Pregnancy