Is A&W Root Beer Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated March 12, 2026
A&W Root Beer
A&W Soda
A&W Root Beer received a C grade, so it is best treated as an occasional drink during pregnancy rather than an everyday choice. The main concerns are high fructose corn syrup and sodium benzoate.
You can use this, but maybe don't make it your everyday go to. Not the end of the world if you've used it. Consult your OBGYN or midwife if you have concerns.
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What Ingredients Are in A&W Root Beer?
A&W Root Beer has 6 ingredients. We flagged 2 ingredients to use with caution.
high fructose corn syrup
CAUTION
High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener derived from corn starch and widely used in processed foods and beverages. High fructose corn syrup warrants caution during pregnancy because animal and human evidence links high intake or exposure with adverse metabolic and pregnancy outcomes.
sodium benzoate
CAUTION
Sodium benzoate is a food preservative in beverages and processed foods. Sodium benzoate warrants caution during pregnancy because high dose animal studies found birth defects and it may form benzene when combined with Vitamin C.
caramel color
SAFE
Caramel color is a widely used food additive that imparts a rich, brown hue to beverages and processed foods. Caramel color is considered safe for pregnancy in this product.
carbonated water
SAFE
Carbonated water is water infused with carbon dioxide gas, creating a fizzy, bubbly sensation. Carbonated water is considered safe during pregnancy, though the fizz may aggravate bloating or heartburn.
natural and artificial flavors
SAFE
A blend of natural and artificial flavors used to enhance the taste and aroma of food and beverages. The natural and artificial flavors in this product are considered safe during pregnancy.
quillaia extract
SAFE
Quillaia extract is a natural surfactant derived from the bark of the Quillaja saponaria tree, commonly used as a foaming agent and emulsifier in food and beverage products. Quillaia extract is considered safe in this product and functions as a foaming agent or emulsifier.
Answering Your Questions
How much A&W Root Beer is safe during pregnancy?
If you choose to drink A&W Root Beer, keep the serving modest rather than having a large or refillable portion. Consider how its added sweetener fits into the rest of your diet, especially if you have concerns about blood sugar.
Can you use A&W Root Beer daily while pregnant?
Enjoy it occasionally rather than making it a daily beverage. Choose water or another minimally sweetened drink more often for routine hydration.
Why did A&W Root Beer receive a C grade?
It received a C because it contains high fructose corn syrup and sodium benzoate, both classified as caution ingredients. Its other listed ingredients are considered safe.
Can I drink A&W Root Beer while breastfeeding?
An occasional serving is generally a more cautious choice than frequent use while breastfeeding. Because it contains high fructose corn syrup and sodium benzoate, prioritize water and less sweetened drinks for everyday hydration.
What are better alternatives to A&W Root Beer during pregnancy?
For a fizzy option, consider plain or naturally flavored Sparkling Water without added sweeteners or preservatives. Compare labels and favor drinks with shorter ingredient lists and little or no added sugar.
Is the sugar in A&W Root Beer a concern during pregnancy?
A&W Root Beer contains high fructose corn syrup, which has been associated with gestational diabetes and preeclampsia in human epidemiological studies. This supports limiting how often you drink it, particularly if your healthcare professional has advised you to monitor blood sugar.
Why is sodium benzoate a caution ingredient?
Sodium benzoate has caused birth defects in animal studies at high doses and may form benzene when combined with Vitamin C. Its presence contributes to the product’s cautionary C grade.
Is carbonated water okay during pregnancy?
Carbonated water itself is considered safe during pregnancy. However, carbonation can worsen bloating or heartburn for some people, so adjust your intake based on how you feel.
Is quillaia extract safe during pregnancy?
Quillaia extract is listed as a safe ingredient in this product and is used as a foaming agent or emulsifier. It is not one of the ingredients driving the C grade.
What Are Pregnancy Safe Alternatives to A&W Root Beer?
Here are some solid alternatives. Everything below has an A or B grade, meaning no flagged ingredients in our database.
| Grade | Product | Brand | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Coca Cola Original Taste | Coca-Cola | soft drink |
| A | Hawai Tropical | Hawai,Coca Cola | soft drink |
| A | Fanta Tops Lemon 1.5L | — | soft drink |
| A | Sicilian Lemon & Lime | Belvoir Farm | soft drink |
Are Other A&W Soda Products Safe During Pregnancy?
We looked at 10 other A&W Soda products. 0 are pregnancy safe (A or B grade), while 10 need a closer look.
| Grade | Product | Type |
|---|---|---|
| C | A&W Ice Cream Sundae Zero Sugar Caffeine Free Soda Cans | soda |
| C | A&W® Root Beer Soda Bottle | soft drink |
| C | A&W® Root Beer Soda Bottles | soda |
| C | A&W® Root Beer Soda Mini Cans | soda |
How Does A&W Root Beer Compare to Other Soft Drinks?
We graded 4,295 Soft Drinks for pregnancy safety. Here's how they stack up:
A&W Root Beer earns a C grade, placing it among the majority of Soft Drinks. Only 14% of products in this category get an A grade, so it pays to choose carefully.
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/
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- 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/