Much to the dismay of many tired moms-to-be, medical professionals recommend caffeine consumption is reduced during pregnancy. You donât have to say goodbye to coffee completely for 9 months, but you do need to limit the amount of caffeinated drinks you have in a day. If you are an exhausted expectant mom, you may be wondering about energy drinks – can a pregnant woman drink sugar free red bull? We love a caffeine fix as much as the next person and have all the information you need about red bull and pregnancy right here in this article.
Can You Drink Sugar Fee Red Bull While Pregnant
Can a pregnant woman drink sugar free red bull? Red Bull is a popular energy drink, keeping employees alert at their desks and helping sleep deprived parents get through another busy day with the kids. However, Red Bull – like many energy drinks – contains high levels of caffeine, including the sugar free version.
You should avoid drinking energy drinks including sugar free red bull due to their high caffeine content. A sugar free Red Bull is a good choice for people watching their weight or wanting to make healthier choices, but the caffeine can still be problematic for moms-to-be.
Sugar Free Red Bull – Caffeine and Pregnancy
It seems unfair that at a time in a womanâs life when she is both mentally and physically exhausted from growing a tiny human, sheâs told to stay away from caffeine. That morning cup of coffee is a life saver and a decaf cappuccino just doesnât hit the same.
Caffeine consumption should be limited during pregnancy as there are risks to your unborn babyâs health. However, it may just be a case of cutting back, instead of giving up on the good stuff entirely.
Health professionals recommend that pregnant women drink no more than 200 mg of caffeine a day. If this number means nothing to you, here are some examples of how much caffeine can be found in different drinks:
Espresso: 20 – 30mg
Starbucks brewed coffee: 180mg
Instant coffee: 157mg
Red Bull: 80mg
English breakfast tea: 42mg
Risks of Caffeine During Pregnancy
Caffeine is a stimulant, it raises a personâs blood pressure and heart rate, as well as improving focus and concentration. A strong cup of coffee can be like rocket fuel in the morning, giving you a kick start to the day, but pregnant women should not be drinking anything that raises their heart rate or blood pressure.
There is no safe amount of caffeine that can be consumed during pregnancy. However, limiting caffeine consumption to no more than 200mg is the current medical advice for women who want to continue drinking caffeinated drinks throughout their pregnancy.
Here are the main risks associated with drinking caffeine during pregnancy:
- Caffeine can cross the placenta and enter babyâs bloodstream
- Caffeine can increase the risk of miscarriage
- High caffeine consumption can lead to preterm labor
- Too much caffeine can lead to birth defects and low birth weight
- Caffeine can impact sleep for mom-to-be and her unborn baby
- High blood pressure and heart rate can be dangerous for expectant moms
Is it Safe to Drink Sugar Free Red Bull While Pregnant?
No, itâs not. Because, energy drinks are great when you need a boost throughout the day, but even the sugar free versions can be problematic when you have a growing baby bump. A 250ml can of sugar free Red Bull contains 80mg of caffeine, almost half the recommended daily amount for expectant-moms.
Here is a full list of ingredients for one can of sugar free Red Bull
- Water,
- Acidifier Citric Acid,
- Carbon Dioxide,
- Taurine (0.4%),
- Acidity Regulator (Sodium Carbonates, Magnesium Carbonate),
- Sweeteners (Acesulfame K, Aspartame),
- Caffeine (0.03 %),
- Vitamins (Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, B6, B12),
- Flavourings,
- Thickener Xanthan Gum,
- Colors (Caramel, Riboflavin)
As well as the caffeine, there are other problematic ingredients in sugar free Red Bull. For example, Taurine is an amino acid and little research has been done to determine its safety during pregnancy. Consuming naturally occurring Taurine with other amino acids is not thought to be risky, but consuming it in supplements and drinks is thought to impact metabolism and kidney function.
B Vitamins can also cause problems for moms-to-be when consumed in high amounts. Research shows that exceeding the recommended daily intake of B vitamins can lead to an increased heart rate – this can be dangerous when consumed alongside caffeine, which also raises blood pressure and heart rate.
Will One Energy Drink Hurt My Baby?
Can you drink sugar free red bull while pregnant? In theory, you could drink two cans of sugar free Red Bull a day and not exceed the âsafe in pregnancyâ caffeine limit. However, caffeine can pass through your placenta into your baby, and while you are experiencing a caffeine hit, so is your baby. A fetus doesn’t have the enzymes needed in their body to effectively metabolize caffeine in their bloodstream.
The odd sugar free Red Bull every now and then is not thought to cause lasting harm to you or your baby. However, research has found that regular consumption of low levels of caffeine can lead to preterm labor and low birth weight.
You donât need to rush to your doctorâs office if you have drunk a sugar free Red Bull, but maybe consider a more pregnancy friendly energy boost next time.
Natural Ways to Boost Energy During Pregnancy
Relying on energy drinks to get through the day isnât a safe option during pregnancy. Try not to despair though, there are plenty of ways to safely boost energy when you have a growing baby on board.
Put the can of Red Bull down and try one of these natural energy boosters instead:
- Exercise
- Take prenatal vitamins
- Stay hydrated
- Eat every four hours
- Avoid sugary snacks
- Eat protein rich foods
- Get plenty of rest
Wrapping Up
Growing a baby is exhausting work and moms-to-be can be forgiven for wanting an energy drink or five to help them through the day. Unfortunately, energy drinks contain high amounts of caffeine, including the sugar free versions.
Have you been wondering, can you drink sugar free Red Bull while pregnant? If so, one can every now and then is not thought to do lasting damage, but caffeine consumption during pregnancy has many risks. Even sugar free energy drinks should be avoided and moms-to-be should consider a pregnancy friendly energy booster instead.
More to Read
- What Happens If You Donât Eat Enough While Pregnant? â Surprising Facts
- Is My Baby Hungry When Iâm Hungry During Pregnancy?
- Is It Bad To Not Take Prenatal Vitamins While Pregnant?
- It Feels Like Baby Is Shaking Inside Me! Is That Normal?
- Why Is My Pregnant Belly Soft When I Lay Down â What You Should Know
- Why Does My Pregnant Belly Look Smaller Some Days?
- Can You Crack Your Back While Pregnant â Is It Safe?
- Pregnant and Scared of Life Changing â Guide to Overcome
