Energy drinks are caffeinated beverages marketed as wonder products that increase stamina, boost concentration, and combat muscle fatigue (1). 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. 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.
What Is An Energy Drink?
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 (2).
Is It Safe To Have Energy Drinks While Breastfeeding?
The International Sport Society recognized that the ingredients in energy drinks need further studies to establish their safety (3). A few studies also have shown that some of the ingredients used in energy drinks could have some side effects. These ingredients may make energy drinks unsuitable and unsafe for a nursing baby and the mother. However, having an energy drink occasionally and in moderation, may not be harmful to you or your baby. 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 ergogenic compound that raises the heart rate and blood pressure (4). The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a maximum daily intake of 300mg of caffeine for a breastfeeding mother (5). An energy drink usually contains 80-150mg of caffeine per eight ounces, which is equivalent to five ounces or approximately 140 grams of coffee (1). 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. 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 (6). Hence, it is wise to avoid large doses of caffeine while breastfeeding.
Caffeine Content In A Few Energy Drinks
Source: Center For Science In The Public Interest (7)
2. Other Ingredients
A few other ingredients present in energy drinks may also pose problems when the beverages are consumed excessively. The ingredients are to consider are:
Sugars are the second most common ingredient in energy drinks. High-fructose corn syrup or sucrose 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, fructose might pass into breastmilk (8). Image: Shutterstock
Taurine is a sulfur-containing essential amino acid found in energy drinks (9). Breastmilk has high amounts of taurine, so breastfeeding mothers will not require its supplementation (10). However, the effects of taurine ingestion on babies via energy drinks are not well-documented.
Herbs like ginseng and ginkgo biloba are found in some of the energy drinks. Both these herbs are generally regarded as safe (GRAS) for consumption. However, their safety and efficacy while breastfeeding are unknown (11) (12).
Apart from these, energy drinks also contain a few other ingredients such as guarana, l-Carnitine, 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.
Alternatives To Energy Drinks
As the safety and efficacy of energy drink consumption during lactation stand questionable, it is suggested that lactating mothers consider these safer alternatives. Note: Even this little amount of caffeine can be too much for some infants. Just observe your baby and go as per his reaction.
