Energy Drinks Before Pregnancy Linked to Higher Risk of Hypertension

 A groundbreaking prospective cohort study set out to answer the implications of the consumption of energy drinks during pregnancy by examining the associations between energy drink consumption before and during pregnancy and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). The study found that consuming energy drinks before pregnancy may lead to a higher risk of gestational hypertension. This study was published in the journal JAMA Network Open. 

In recent years, the consumption of energy drinks has witnessed a significant upswing, especially among the younger population. However, a crucial question in the background was left unanswered about the intake of energy drinks and their implications for health during pregnancy. 

A comprehensive study was carried out by drawing data from participants in the Nurses’ Health Study 3 (NHS 3) and the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS), encompassing women who reported one or more singleton pregnancies between January 1, 2011, and June 1, 2019. The analysis delved into the participants' energy drink intake, utilizing a food frequency questionnaire.

Self-reported APOs like pregnancy loss, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, or preterm birth were the primary outcomes of measurement. Secondary outcomes included measuring a composite APO. 

Findings: 

• A total of 7,304 pregnancies in 4,736 participants provided information on prepregnancy energy drink intake, while 4,559 pregnancies in 4,559 participants offered insights into energy drink intake during pregnancy.
• The study uncovered no notable associations for several adverse pregnancy outcomes, including pregnancy loss, preterm birth, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or the composite APO.
• Intriguingly, however, prepregnancy energy drink use exhibited a noteworthy association with a heightened risk of gestational hypertension, with an odds ratio of 1.60 (95% CI, 1.12-2.29).
• Importantly, a significant interaction emerged between age and energy drink intake concerning hypertensive disorders, with stronger associations identified for participants above the median age.
• Conversely, no significant associations were discerned between energy drink intake during pregnancy and any of the APOs in the NHS3 cohort.

The study's findings underline a connection between energy drink intake before pregnancy and an increased risk of gestational hypertension. However, researchers urge caution in interpreting the results, citing the low prevalence of energy drink intake and relatively low consumption levels among users.

Health professionals and experts underscore the importance of these findings in the broader context of understanding dietary choices' impact on pregnancy outcomes. They emphasize the need for discussions around the potential risks of energy drinks, particularly for individuals planning pregnancies, with special attention to older age groups.

In conclusion, this study contributes significantly to the ongoing conversation about the potential health risks associated with energy drink consumption, urging a nuanced approach to dietary choices for individuals contemplating pregnancy. 

Further reading: Ding M, Markon AO, Jones-Dominic OE, et al. Intake of Energy Drinks Before and During Pregnancy and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(11):e2344023. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.44023