Coca cola in pregnancy: does it really counteract the nausea of the first months?
Whether you can drink coca cola while pregnant or not is a question that many women and future mothers ask themselves; what we can tell you is that it is not completely forbidden but you have to be careful. Its consumption in general should be limited, we explain the main reasons in this article. Before continuing, watch the video below to discover other foods to watch out for during pregnancy.
Can I drink cola when pregnant?
Coca cola has ancient origins as it was initially born as an alcoholic drink with an exciting effect; but today, what we all know, is a carbonated and non-alcoholic drink with a characteristic dark color. It is known that carbonated drinks during pregnancy are not really indicated as not at all healthy: often rich in sugars and dyes, it would be better to avoid them especially because everything we take also reaches the fetus.
Pregnancy is the best time to review your eating habits, starting with alcohol, the consumption of which must be absolutely suspended, up to carbonated drinks such as coca cola. But is it really bad if drunk during pregnancy? It is certainly not healthy, but consuming small amounts sporadically is possible.
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The reasons to avoid coke in pregnancy
A seemingly harmless carbonated drink like cola can actually be dangerous during pregnancy for the reasons that we report below. Drinking too much, especially during the 9 months of gestation, involves various risks, but the most significant of these is the increased likelihood of premature birth, which has emerged from a recent study on the matter.
Furthermore, fizzy drinks are in most cases extremely rich in sugars and therefore, in particular, future mothers will have to avoid them to avoid the onset of gestational diabetes, with all the consequences that it entails.
Sugars and artificial sweeteners such as aspartame And phenylalanine, often present in large quantities in soft drinks such as coca cola, cause health problems, involving the cardiovascular system and putting the entire continuation of pregnancy at risk.
Drinking coca cola during pregnancy must remain a small pleasure to be indulged sporadically, without ever becoming a habit to avoid any type of problem related to the health of the mother and baby.
As a consequence of the really exaggerated sugar content in soft drinks like cola and more, it is very easy to gain weight and you will have a lot of difficulty in losing the pounds.
But could zero coke be a valid alternative for mothers who just can't help but indulge in a glass every now and then? The answer is more or less the same as for the classic coke, that is, yes but in moderation.
Both the aforementioned versions of coca cola contain caffeine, among other substances to be avoided during pregnancy as it causes stress for the fetus, as well as a decrease in the absorption of calcium, which is essential for bone formation.
Coca cola in pregnancy: does it help against nausea during pregnancy?
The belief that coca cola is good for expectant mothers in case of pregnancy nausea or stomach acid is always widespread. But where is the truth? In fact, coca cola would have a certain digestive function due to its acidic pH and could help relieve the stomach heaviness typical even of those who are pregnant. In any case, excessive consumption could stimulate the production of gastric acids and therefore exacerbate stomach pain, acidity and gastro-oesophageal reflux.
In short, the fact that coca cola makes you digest is very subjective, using it to digest during pregnancy is a remedy that should be avoided.
As for pregnancy nausea, on the other hand, it is caused by a hormone (chorionic gonadotropin) and some biological factors, but it is a defense mechanism for the fetus, as some studies have shown that women who suffer from it run less risk of abortion in the first trimester.
In all these cases, the effects of coca cola are to be considered absolutely subjective: if someone has worked to stop nausea by drinking coke, it does not necessarily work for everyone and in some cases the situation can even worsen.
We allow ourselves a dispassionate advice: juices and fruit juices without added sugar are much more effective.
Contraindications related to the intake of coca cola during pregnancy
In addition to weight gain and the consequences for mother and child, there are other contraindications related to the consumption of fizzy drinks, which are more evident. Here are some examples.
- Carbonated and sugary drinks are often acidic and this damages the enamel of our teeth making them more yellow in the long run. For this reason, dentists advise against brushing your teeth immediately after drinking coke or coffee, precisely because you risk further thinning the enamel already tested by the acid.
- In the long run, excessive consumption of fizzy drinks increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. Some studies have shown that the consumption of these drinks is closely related to overweight and obesity, and is particularly risky for children.
Coca cola in pregnancy: frequently asked questions
Based on its nutritional values and calories, is cola a recommended food during pregnancy?
Coca cola contains a lot of sugars and dyes that are not good for both the body of the pregnant woman and for everyone else. Coca cola zero, even if as the name suggests, has zero calories, it does not mean that it does not contain substances harmful to the mother and the child, including caffeine with an exciting effect.
Is light coca cola preferable during pregnancy?
Coca cola light, like the classic and zero versions, contains artificial sweeteners that are not good for the body and from which one should be careful during all 9 months of gestation. In addition, it also contains caffeine exactly like the two versions mentioned above, a substance from which the expectant mother should stay away at least until delivery.
Other fizzy drinks in pregnancy: which ones are allowed?
All types of fizzy drinks (orange soda, chinotto, soda, etc.) are not recommended during pregnancy, but this does not mean that women cannot consume a small amount very sporadically. Taking off a whim does not hurt, the important thing is not to exceed in consumption and this is a rule that should apply to the well-being of the whole family.
