Tonic water safe?

[maria2bela]

I've read some things online about quinine not being good for consumption during pregnancy, is this true? Can anyone shed some light?

Its fine

My midwife told me to drink it as it was good for easing morning sickness

It was my saviour for leg cramps / I had a big glass every day 😄

From NHS:

We asked toxicologists at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) about quinine in tonic water and here is their summary:

There is no official advice on the safety of quinine in tonic water in pregnancy, although the FSA recommends sticking to moderate consumption.

Quinine is available in 200g and 300g tablets for use medicinally as an antimalarial. Side effects, including uterine contractions, have been reported in women taking very high doses of quinine tablets, though the effect appears to be mild and quinine is considered to be safe for use in pregnancy as an anti-malaria drug.

Quinine in tonic water is at a much weaker level of approximately 80 mg quinine hydrochloride/L. The safety of quinine as a flavouring in soft drinks has been evaluated by independent expert committees including the WHO and they have concluded that it is safe to use at current levels up to a maximum of 100mg/L. The lowest level of intake at which an adverse effect was observed was an effect on eyesight at 120 mg/day which is equivalent to approximately 1.5 L tonic water.

I've literally just spent the last half hour frantically googling this as I've been drinking the fever tree lemon tonic to feel like I'm joining in while others are having a glass of wine with dinner etc. Really freaked myself out! Hopefully nothing to worry about? 😬😬

@TwigTheWonderKid
Thank you I didn't know this!!

@Andcake really - it helps with leg cramps? I get horrendous ‘itchy leg’ syndrome and usually have paracetamol - but really don’t want to take whilst pregnant, might try tonic!

Tonic water and bananas apparently sort leg cramps. Tonic water which I love definitely helped me

I think the quinine levels in tonic are super low. I remember a friend telling me you could repel mosquitos with quinine by drinking G&Ts which I was delighted about until I learned you’d have to drink something like 1000 litres of G&T to get the protection - by which point you’d be safe from malaria but you’d be dead from alcohol poisoning

I drank gallons of the stuff with DS1.

Only after I'd had him did someone mention it might not be a great idea. Good to know the literature says OK.

@TwigTheWonderKid - what eyesight impact was indicated - baby's or mother's?

Thanks for the tips @Andcake