Is Seltzer Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated April 13, 2026
The Answer
Yes, plain seltzer water is safe during pregnancy. With 664 out of 704 products earning an A grade, most seltzer options are perfectly fine. Just avoid varieties containing CBD, kombucha, or high caffeine.
Seltzer water is simply carbonated water and poses no risk to pregnant women. It can actually help with hydration and may ease nausea during the first trimester. The carbonation does not affect calcium absorption or harm your baby. However, some specialty seltzers contain added ingredients like CBD, caffeine, or kombucha that require caution.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Plain carbonated water or seltzer with only natural flavors
- • Major grocery store brands like Polar, Kroger, or Harris Teeter
- • Ingredient lists showing just carbonated water and natural flavors
- • Caffeine free varieties if drinking multiple servings daily
- • No limit on plain seltzer - drink as much as needed for hydration
✗ What to Avoid
- • CBD infused seltzers - CBD crosses the placenta and may affect fetal development
- • Kombucha seltzers - unpasteurized with variable alcohol content
- • Seltzers with added caffeine or energy blends - keep total caffeine under 200mg daily
- • Products containing ginseng extract - may affect embryonic development
- • Seltzers with hibiscus - has hormonal activity that may affect implantation
Most Common Ingredients in Seltzer Products
We analyzed 704 seltzer products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Seltzer
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 704 seltzer products we analyzed.
sodium benzoate
CAUTION
Sodium benzoate is a food preservative in beverages and processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses and may form benzene when combined with vitamin C.
Found in 12 of 704 products (2%)
organic caffeine
CAUTION
Organic caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee and tea. Is linked to increased miscarriage risk and low birth weight above 200 mg daily.
Found in 10 of 704 products (1%)
organic panax ginseng extract
CAUTION
Organic panax ginseng extract is an herb used to enhance stamina and reduce fatigue. May affect embryonic development and has anticoagulant effects that increase bleeding risk.
Found in 10 of 704 products (1%)
kombucha
CAUTION
Kombucha is a fermented tea beverage with probiotics. May contain variable alcohol levels and is unpasteurized with theoretical contamination risk.
Found in 4 of 704 products (1%)
caffeine
CAUTION
Caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee and tea. Is linked to increased miscarriage risk and low birth weight above 200 mg daily.
Found in 2 of 704 products (0%)
hibiscus powder
CAUTION
Hibiscus powder is a tropical plant used in teas for antioxidant benefits. Has hormonal activity and may have anti implantation effects based on animal studies.
Found in 2 of 704 products (0%)
live kombucha cultures
CAUTION
Live kombucha cultures is a fermented tea beverage with probiotics. May contain variable alcohol levels and is unpasteurized with theoretical contamination risk.
Found in 2 of 704 products (0%)
organic raw kombucha filtered water
CAUTION
Organic raw kombucha filtered water is a fermented tea beverage with probiotics. May contain variable alcohol levels and is unpasteurized with theoretical contamination risk.
Found in 2 of 704 products (0%)
Seltzer Products We've Analyzed
We graded 704 seltzer products for pregnancy safety. 664 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Seltzer Products
We found 664 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | 12Oz 6Pk Orange Vanilla Seltzer | Polar |
| A | 12Oz 6Pk Cans Raspberry Lime Seltzer | Polar |
| A | Lemon Flavored Seltzer Water, Lemon | — |
| A | 12Oz 6Pk Cans Lime Seltzer | Polar |
| A | Kroger® Pineapple Coconut Flavored Seltzer Water Cans | Kroger |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women drink seltzer?
Yes, pregnant women can safely drink seltzer water throughout pregnancy. Plain seltzer is just water with carbon dioxide added, making it as safe as regular water. It contains no calories, sugar, or harmful additives. Many pregnant women find the carbonation helps settle their stomach during bouts of morning sickness. There's no limit on how much plain seltzer you can drink.
What are the risks of seltzer during pregnancy?
Plain seltzer water has no known risks during pregnancy. The carbonation does not leach calcium from bones or harm fetal development - this is a common myth. The only concerns arise with specialty seltzers containing added ingredients like CBD (which should be avoided entirely), kombucha (unpasteurized with trace alcohol), or high amounts of caffeine. Always check the ingredient label on flavored varieties.
Can a pregnant woman drink seltzer?
Absolutely yes. Plain seltzer and sparkling water are completely safe during pregnancy. The carbonation is harmless and the water helps you stay hydrated. Many healthcare providers actually recommend seltzer as a healthy alternative to sugary sodas or caffeinated drinks. Just stick to plain or naturally flavored varieties and avoid those with CBD, kombucha, or added stimulants.
Is flavored seltzer safe during pregnancy?
Most flavored seltzers are safe during pregnancy. Look for varieties that contain only carbonated water and natural flavors - these earn an A grade in our database. Avoid flavored seltzers that contain sodium benzoate combined with vitamin C (can form benzene), CBD or hemp extracts, kombucha cultures, or added caffeine. When in doubt, check the ingredient list and choose simpler formulations.
How much seltzer water is safe to drink during pregnancy?
There is no established limit for plain seltzer water during pregnancy. You can drink it freely as part of your daily fluid intake. The Institute of Medicine recommends pregnant women consume about 10 cups of fluids daily, and seltzer counts toward this goal. Some women experience increased bloating or gas from carbonation - if this bothers you, simply reduce your intake. Otherwise, enjoy as much as you like.
How Do We Score Products for Pregnancy Safety?
We analyze each product's ingredients and category to flag known risks and provide cautionary notices for general category safety concerns.
A - Safe
Excellent choice! All ingredients are considered safe during pregnancy.
What to do: Use with confidence.
B - Likely Safe
Pretty much safe with very minimal risk. Some ingredients may have limited pregnancy studies, but no significant safety concerns have been identified.
What to do: Use with confidence.
C - Limit
Contains ingredients with some pregnancy considerations. Research shows these ingredients may have limited safety data, potential for minor hormonal effects, or require caution based on animal studies.
What to do: Use sparingly and consider safer alternatives when available.
D - Caution
Similar to C grade but contains multiple cautionary ingredients. The combination increases overall concern.
What to do: Try to avoid if that makes you feel better. If you've already used it, no need to panic.
F - Avoid
Contains ingredients with established risks during pregnancy. Research shows these can cause birth defects, developmental harm, or serious maternal complications.
What to do: Do not use during pregnancy. If you've already used it, don't worry - contact your OBGYN if concerned.
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References
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