Bunady
Energy drinks are caffeinated beverages marketed as wonder products that increase stamina, boost concentration, and combat muscle fatigue. Since these claims are enticing, you may be tempted to consume energy drinks when breastfeeding to fight lethargy. However, you should understand the ingredients of these drinks before making a choice....TAP TO READ THE FULL CONTENT | TAP TO READ THE FULL CONTENT
Since drinks aren’t healthy, regular consumption may affect you and your baby. Hence, pausing and contemplating your choices before reaching for an energy drink is worthwhile if your baby is still breastfeeding.
Keep reading to learn more about whether energy drinks are safe for nursing mothers, their ingredients, and better alternatives.
An energy drink is a beverage that is rich in caffeine and sugar. As per the ad blitzkrieg, the drink provides instant energy and stimulation. It may be carbonated or non-carbonated. Some energy drinks contain herbal extracts as well as amino acids.
Yes, you can consume energy drinks while breastfeeding. Read the label carefully and opt for energy drinks with less than 300 milligrams of caffeine. Excessive caffeine intake can negatively affect both you and your baby, so it’s important to be mindful of your consumption. It all comes down to moderation, just like drinking coffee while breastfeeding.
Furthermore, experts recommend considering the duration, quantity, and quality of drinks consumed and mixing habits. It is also important to check labels for ingredients, avoid potentially harmful components, and choose only safe and well-regulated energy drinks to reduce health risks for both mother and baby
The International Sport Society recognized that the ingredients in energy drinks need further studies to establish their safety
Caution
Avoid energy drinks if you take vitamins and herbal supplements to avert potential vitamin toxicity.
Read on to know more about the ingredients used to make these energy drinks.
Ingredients Present In Energy Drinks
1. Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant and an ergogeniciSomething that enhances performance. compound that raises the heart rate and blood pressure . The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a maximum daily intake of 300mg of caffeine for a breastfeeding mother. An energy drink usually contains 80-150mg of caffeine per eight ounces, which is equivalent to five ounces or approximately 140 grams of coffee.
If you are having coffee or any other caffeine-containing drinks, and also consuming an energy drink, you might be crossing the maximum threshold of caffeine intake.
Generally, less than 1% of the caffeine consumed by the mother makes it into breast milk. Thus, moderate caffeine intake doesn’t negatively affect the nursing baby.
Research suggests that if a baby is caffeine sensitive, consumption of a higher quantity of caffeine might cause fussiness, irritability, and inability to settle in the baby. This might lead to poor feedings, as well. Hence, it is wise to avoid large doses of caffeine while breastfeeding.
Caffeine Content In A Few Energy Drinks
DRINK Serving Size (Oz.) Caffeine content (mg)
Red Bull 8.4 80
Monster Energy Drink 16 160
5-Hour Energy 2 200
Mountain Dew Kick Start 16 90
NOS Energy Drink 16 160
Rockstar Energy Drink 16 160
V8 Fusion Energy Drink 8 80
Starbucks Tripleshot Energy 15 225
Starbucks Refresher, Can 12 50
2. Other Ingredients
A few other ingredients present in energy drinks may also pose problems when the beverages are consumed excessively. The ingredients to consider are:
Sugars are the second most common ingredient in energy drinks. High-fructose corn syrup or sucroseiSugar composed of glucose and fructose. acts as the main source of energy in these drinks. Long-term exposure to these sugars is associated with insulin resistance and obesity in the consumer. Also, fructoseiA simple sugar found in plants, also known as fruit sugar. might pass into breastmilk .
Taurine is a sulfur-containing essential amino acid found in energy drinks. Breastmilk has high amounts of taurine, so breastfeeding mothers will not require its supplementation. However, the effects of taurine ingestion on babies via energy drinks are not well-documented.
Herbs like ginseng and ginkgo bilobaiA plant native to China rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. are found in some of the energy drinks. Both these herbs are generally regarded as safe (GRAS) for consumption. However, the safety and efficacy of ginkgo and ginseng while breastfeeding are unknown.
Apart from these, energy drinks also contain a few other ingredients such as guaranaiA plant native to the Amazon that is a common ingredient of energy drinks. , l-CarnitineiA chemical produced in the human brain, liver, and kidneys that helps turn fat into energy. , and antioxidants. The efficacy and safety of these ingredients during lactation are debatable. Moreover, the FDA does not warrant manufacturers to label the quantity of most of the ingredients in energy drinks. The only requirement stated is to list them as an ingredient.
Since the side-effects of these ingredients are not known, it is wise to consult your doctor if you are keen on having an energy drink while you are breastfeeding. If your doctor approves it, limit the intake to 16oz a day.
Health Implications Of Excessive Energy Drink Consumption
Breastfeeding mothers may struggle with irregular sleep patterns and often turn to energy drinks for relief. However, it’s important to understand the potential health risks associated with these beverages.
High sugar and caffeine risks: Energy drinks often contain large amounts of sugar and caffeine, which can lead to health issues.
Unlisted ingredients: Some energy drinks include herbal components that may not be clearly labeled, raising safety concerns for breastfeeding mothers.
