Is Sparkling Juice Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated April 13, 2026
The Answer
Yes, sparkling juice is generally safe during pregnancy. With 147 out of 191 products earning an A grade, most sparkling juices contain simple, pregnancy safe ingredients like fruit juice concentrate and carbonated water.
Sparkling juice offers a refreshing, alcohol free alternative during pregnancy and can help with hydration and nausea relief. Most products contain straightforward ingredients like fruit juice, sparkling water, and natural flavors. However, some varieties include additives like high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, or preservatives that warrant caution during pregnancy.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • 100% juice varieties from trusted brands like Izze, Welch's, Martinelli's, or Trader Joe's
- • Simple ingredient lists with fruit juice concentrate, sparkling water, and natural flavors
- • Products with A or B+ grades indicating pregnancy safe formulations
- • Pasteurized juice products (standard for commercial sparkling juices)
- • No added limit on consumption for pure sparkling juice, but moderate sugar intake overall
✗ What to Avoid
- • Products containing high fructose corn syrup, linked to gestational diabetes risk
- • Sparkling juices with artificial colors like Yellow 5, Red 40, or Blue 1
- • Varieties with sodium benzoate preservative, especially combined with vitamin C
- • Caffeinated sparkling juice beverages (keep under 200mg caffeine daily)
- • Products containing hibiscus extract, which may have hormonal effects
- • Energy drink style sparkling juices like Mtn Dew varieties
Most Common Ingredients in Sparkling Juice Products
We analyzed 191 sparkling juice products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Sparkling Juice
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 191 sparkling juice products we analyzed.
high fructose corn syrup
CAUTION
High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener derived from corn starch and widely used in processed foods and beverages. Has been associated with placental insufficiency, fetal growth restriction, and metabolic programming of offspring in animal studies, and with gestational diabetes and preeclampsia in epidemiological studies of humans.
Found in 10 of 191 products (5%)
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 10 of 191 products (5%)
sodium benzoate and potassium metabisulfite
CAUTION
Sodium benzoate and potassium metabisulfite is a common food preservative in processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses.
Found in 3 of 191 products (2%)
yellow 5
CAUTION
Yellow 5 is a synthetic yellow food coloring. Has shown embryotoxic effects in recent animal studies at high doses.
Found in 3 of 191 products (2%)
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 191 products (1%)
red 40
CAUTION
Red 40 is a synthetic red food coloring. May affect neurobehavioral development based on animal studies at high doses.
Found in 2 of 191 products (1%)
blue 1
CAUTION
Blue 1 is a synthetic blue food coloring. Has limited human pregnancy data with possible neurobehavioral effects in animal studies.
Found in 1 of 191 products (1%)
elderflower extract
CAUTION
Elderflower extract is flowers from the elder plant used in teas and cordials. Has no established pregnancy safety data and may affect immune function.
Found in 1 of 191 products (1%)
Sparkling Juice Products We've Analyzed
We graded 191 sparkling juice products for pregnancy safety. 147 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Sparkling Juice Products
We found 147 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Sparkling Juice Beverage | Izze |
| A | Izze Sparkling Blackberry Juice Beverage 8.4 Fluid Ounce Aluminum Can | — |
| A | Sparkling Grapefruit | Izze |
| A | Sparkling Red Grape Juice | Welch'S |
| A | Non Alcoholic Sparkling Red Grape Juice Cocktail | Welch'S |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women drink sparkling juice?
Yes, pregnant women can safely drink sparkling juice. Most commercial sparkling juices are made from pasteurized fruit juice and carbonated water, making them a safe and refreshing choice. Brands like Izze, Welch's, and Trader Joe's offer pregnancy safe options with simple ingredients. Sparkling juice is an excellent alcohol free alternative for celebrations and can help combat pregnancy nausea while keeping you hydrated.
What are the risks of sparkling juice during pregnancy?
The main risks come from certain additives rather than sparkling juice itself. Some products contain high fructose corn syrup, which has been linked to gestational diabetes and fetal growth concerns in studies. Artificial colors like Yellow 5 and Red 40 have shown potential effects in animal studies. Sodium benzoate, a common preservative, may form benzene when combined with vitamin C. Choosing 100% juice varieties without these additives eliminates most concerns.
Is sparkling water safe during pregnancy?
Yes, plain sparkling water is completely safe during pregnancy and can be a great way to stay hydrated. The carbonation does not harm your baby and may actually help relieve nausea and morning sickness. Sparkling water contains no calories, sugar, or additives. You can enjoy it throughout all trimesters without concern. Adding a splash of 100% fruit juice creates a healthier alternative to sugary sodas.
How much sparkling juice can I drink while pregnant?
There's no strict limit on sparkling juice during pregnancy, but moderation is wise due to natural sugar content. One to two servings per day is reasonable for most women. Focus on 100% juice varieties rather than juice cocktails with added sugars. If you have gestational diabetes or are watching your sugar intake, consult your healthcare provider about appropriate amounts. Sparkling water with a splash of juice offers a lower sugar alternative.
What types of sparkling juice are safe during pregnancy?
The safest sparkling juices are 100% juice varieties with minimal ingredients. Look for products listing fruit juice concentrate, sparkling water, and natural flavors. Brands like Martinelli's, Welch's sparkling grape juice, Izze, and Trader Joe's sparkling juices consistently earn high safety grades. Avoid energy drink style sparkling juices and those with long ingredient lists containing artificial colors, high fructose corn syrup, or multiple preservatives.
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
- https://thrivemarket.com/blog/heres a-convincing reason to avoid high fructose corn syrup during pregnancy
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1203063/full
- https://www.nature.com/articles/srep25091
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0955286322000225
- https://www.orlandohealth.com/content hub/why you should not consume high fructose corn syrup if you are pregnant/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7441786/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35123000/
- https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/32/12/2314/25900/Dietary Risk Factors for Gestational Diabetes
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916522034220
- https://medicine.washu.edu/news/high fructose diet pregnancy may harm placenta restrict fetal growth/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6685737/
- https://www.cdc.gov/maternal infant health/pregnancy diabetes/index.html
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5491864/
- https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1113/JP274066
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4398903/
- https://www.obgproject.com/2023/01/02/acog releases updated guidance gestational diabetes/
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.848983/full
- https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.07.02.600389v1.full text
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12620731/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10469680/
