Pregnancy is a special time for women, often with concerns about proper diet and nutrition. In 2005, the Food and Drug Administration notes that carbonated soft drinks were the most popular drink in America. With the popularity of this drink, you may question how healthy it is, particularly if you are pregnant. Questions about whether the ingredients in soda can pass from mother to growing fetus and detrimentally affect the baby are common.
Caffeine
Many people grab that can of soda from the fridge hoping to keep their energy up with a shot of caffeine. Because it's a stimulant, caffeine consumption during pregnancy is a common concern, often addressed by the medical and scientific community. No more than 200 mg of caffeine, about two 8 oz. cups of coffee, is recommended by The March of Dimes. An 8-oz. soda typically contains about 24 mg of caffeine. The scientific studies are mixed, but caffeine doesn't appear to affect fertility or miscarriage when consumed in moderation.
Aspartame
Soft drinks come with a diet option, sodas containing zero calories because regular table sugar is substituted with an artificial sweetener. Aspartame is often the key sweetener used in soda beverages. The Food and Drug Administration approves the use of aspartame in pregnant and lactating women. The American Pregnancy Association recommends limiting aspartame's intake to moderate levels during pregnancy. Those with the disease phenylketonuria or pregnant women with high levels of phenylalanine in their system should avoid aspartame and diet soda in general.
Other Concerns
Carbonated canned soft drinks may contain low levels of the carcinogen benzene, according to the FDA. The FDA only has standards for bottled water when it comes to benzene levels; however, the agency has and continues to analyze carbonated canned beverages for dangerous benzene levels, and states that benzene levels found to date "do not pose a safety concern." Pregnant women who are extra cautious may choose to consume less canned soda beverages based on this information.
Summary
Moderation is the key message from the medical and scientific community when it comes to consuming soda during pregnancy, whether it's caffeinated, caffeine-free, regular or diet. If caffeine-free is the soda option you choose, caffeine concerns are unwarranted. Substances such as aspartame in diet soda and benzene in canned soda beverages may be a concern, but the FDA states these concerns are unwarranted, even when consumed during pregnancy. Talking to your doctor about your soda consumption and limiting your intake to moderate levels seems to be the wisest choice for a healthy pregnancy.
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