One of the common myths surrounding pregnancy is that it is forbidden for pregnant women to drink soda, on the grounds that it can cause miscarriage. However, is this information true? Find the answer in the article below.
Preservatives in Soft Drinks
In soft drinks, there are a number of substances that can have an impact on the health of pregnant women, including carbonic acid, sugar, caffeine, artificial sweeteners and other additives.
1. Carbonic Acid
During normal pregnancy, it is important for pregnant women to get additional calcium intake for optimal fetal development. Regular consumption of fizzy drinks can result in reduced calcium intake, increase the risk of premature osteoporosis, and make bones susceptible to loss.
2. Sugar
Excessive sugar consumption can harm the immune system of pregnant women, while increasing the risk of gestational diabetes. This can trigger complications such as premature birth, respiratory problems, excessive fetal weight, and increase the risk of obesity in children.
3. Caffeine
It turns out that soft drinks also contain high levels of caffeine. In one can of soft drink, caffeine can reach 30-35 mg, while the daily caffeine consumption limit for pregnant women is 200 mg. Excess caffeine can increase the risk of hypertension, premature birth, low baby weight, and interfere with a child's brain development.
4. Artificial sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners in soft drinks can increase the risk of fetal development disorders and can even cause birth defects if consumed in excess. It is best to limit consumption of fizzy drinks during pregnancy, ideally only one can a day. It is recommended to choose water or homemade fruit juice as a healthier alternative.
Health Risks Due to Soda Consumption During Pregnancy
Drinking soda excessively during pregnancy can have a negative impact on the health of the pregnant woman and fetus. Some risks to be aware of include:
1. Excessive Weight Gain
Fizzy drinks high in calories and sugar can cause excess weight gain during pregnancy. High sugar levels also increase the risk of gestational diabetes, which can have serious consequences such as preeclampsia, premature birth, and even fetal death.
2. Babies with Low Birth Weight
The caffeine in some types of soda can increase the risk of a baby being born with a low birth weight or birth defects. Caffeine can cross the placenta and affect fetal growth, having a negative impact on the health of the unborn baby.
3. Calcium deficiency
High caffeine content can inhibit calcium absorption, causing insufficient calcium intake during pregnancy. Calcium deficiency can contribute to the risk of osteoporosis later in life, because the fetus will take calcium from the mother's bones.
4. Obesity in Children
Soda that contains artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, can increase a child's risk of being overweight or obese in the future. Excessive consumption of artificial sweeteners can also increase the risk of metabolic syndrome in children.
5. Children's Fine Motor Development Disorders
Research shows that pregnant women who consume a lot of sugar, especially from soda, are at risk of giving birth to children with impaired fine motor development. This can affect a child's ability to perform daily activities such as writing, buttoning or tying shoes.Even though there are low-sugar soft drinks or diet soda available, keep in mind that most of them still contain artificial sweeteners such as saccharin or aspartame.
Drinking a glass of soda while pregnant will not increase the risk of miscarriage, as long as consumption remains within reasonable limits. Soda itself is not considered dangerous for pregnant women and the fetus, because it is a mixture of carbonated water with sweeteners such as sucrose or corn syrup which contains high fructose, plus natural flavors and caffeine. However, it is best to remember that some ingredients in soda can have the potential to have a negative impact on pregnancy. Therefore, it is recommended to limit its consumption.
References:
https://www.alodokter.com/amankah-minum-soda-saat-hamil
https://hellosehat.com/kehamilan/kandungan/minum-soda-makan-nanas-saat-hamil/
Leave a comment