Pregnancy SmartShop formulas

Is it safe? · Pregnancy Smart

Are energy drinks safe during pregnancy?

Assigned clinical reviewerMichael Yuzefovich· MD, FACOGDraft · pending clinical reviewUpdated

What does the evidence say about energy drinks during pregnancy?

  1. A typical energy drink packs 40 to 250 mg of caffeine per 8 fl oz, and a 16 fl oz can often lands at 160 to 240 mg: right at or above ACOG's 200 mg daily pregnancy limit. 1
  2. ACOG recommends keeping total daily caffeine under 200 mg during pregnancy. 2
  3. Energy drinks often add other stimulants like guarana, yohimbe, and ginseng, and there isn't much pregnancy safety data on how they act together. 3
  4. The FDA has flagged highly concentrated caffeine products, including some energy shots and powders, as risky for the general adult population, pregnant or not. 4

Is energy drinks safe in each trimester?

  • First trimester. This is the most sensitive window for too much caffeine and for stimulant-related heart symptoms, especially while your body is already adjusting to more blood volume.
  • Second trimester. Same guidance. Your body clears caffeine more slowly in the second trimester, so the same dose lingers longer.
  • Third trimester. Same guidance. Caffeine clearance slows even more, and a racing heart from stimulants is harder to tolerate this late in pregnancy.

Frequently asked questions

What about 'natural' or low-sugar energy drinks?

Sugar content is a separate issue. What matters for pregnancy is the caffeine load and extra stimulants, and many 'natural' or 'zero-sugar' brands still pack 150 to 200 mg of caffeine per can plus botanicals like guarana.

Is a small can okay if it's my only caffeine source?

Some small 8 fl oz energy drinks have 80 to 100 mg of caffeine, which technically fits under the 200 mg daily limit. Even so, plain coffee or tea is usually the better choice in pregnancy since it skips the extra stimulant blend.

I had an energy drink before I knew I was pregnant. What now?

Try not to worry. One exposure isn't typically linked to any specific effect on your baby. Just keep your total caffeine under 200 mg a day from here on, and mention it at your next visit if you're concerned.

Are electrolyte drinks the same as energy drinks?

No. Standard sports and electrolyte drinks are caffeine-free or low-caffeine and are usually fine for pregnancy hydration. See our electrolyte drinks guide for more.

Related in the library

References

  1. Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much? (FDA)

    FDA · https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-much-caffeine-too-much

  2. Moderate Caffeine Consumption During Pregnancy: ACOG Committee Opinion

    ACOG · https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2010/08/moderate-caffeine-consumption-during-pregnancy

  3. Caffeine: MotherToBaby Fact Sheet

    MotherToBaby · https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/caffeine-pregnancy/

  4. Highly Concentrated Caffeine in Dietary Supplements: Guidance for Industry (FDA)

    FDA · https://www.fda.gov/files/food/published/Guidance-for-Industry--Highly-Concentrated-Caffeine-in-Dietary-Supplements-DOWNLOAD.pdf

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.