This has been a question for decades if Caffeine is safe during pregnancy, and if yes how much shall be the intake?
What are the effects of caffeine on pregnancy?
A few studies have found some benefits, some are not as convinced and there is also the other side that it might have some negative effects. Some experts believe that drinking caffeine in moderation during pregnancy doesn’t harm the baby, but some others don’t agree with that. Benefits of consuming caffeine during pregnancy
According to CNN, a study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that women who drink 400mg or more of caffeine per day during pregnancy had a lower risk of preterm birth.
The amount that you should consume during pregnancy is according to one study. One 600mg of caffeine is equivalent to 2 cups of coffee, a single cup of coffee contains 400mg. That is one cup of coffee (1 cup is equivalent to 2 tsp of sugar).
What is the safe limit for caffeine during pregnancy?
It is recommended that pregnant women should not consume more than 400 mg of caffeine per day which is about 2 cups of coffee. However, if you are like many pregnant women who enjoy a coffee or caffeinated drink every now and then, you can still enjoy this beverage if you don’t consume more than 200 mg of caffeine per day.
Can I drink Caffeine during my pregnancy without a prescription? You can drink caffeinated tea but if you want to drink coffee, you may want to buy a special kind of coffee or caffeinated energy drinks that contain only trace amounts of caffeine.
The only thing you should avoid during pregnancy is sugar-based energy drinks which are packed with caffeine. This can increase the risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, and stillbirth.
Caffeine and Breastfeeding
Caffeine is a synthetic substance that has numerous health benefits which include:
a. It aids in balancing blood sugar.
b. It helps in nerve impulses.
c. It improves energy levels.
d. It aids digestion. Unfortunately, caffeine is known to increase the rate of pregnancy miscarriage.
Many studies have shown that for some women caffeine can actually be a health concern during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Women who are trying to start up breastfeeding often want to stay away from caffeine to avoid any potential problems.
However, for some women, caffeine is actually very safe. Many studies have been done on this. For example, an in-depth study done on a group of mostly low-income pregnant women from Buffalo, New York found that there were no problems related to caffeine intake for these women and that they all maintained a healthy diet.
A study of pregnant women in New Zealand found similar results. Most of the women in this study maintained a normal diet, although some had caffeine in their diets.
Conclusion
Health risks associated with the intake of high doses of caffeine are majorly due to its link with type-2 diabetes and stroke. Although there is no clear evidence to support a link between caffeine intake during pregnancy and miscarriage, a link has been found between caffeine consumption during pregnancy and preeclampsia (excess protein in the blood), infant macrosomia (larger size at birth), and stillbirths.
There is an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases, especially stroke and type-2 diabetes, in pregnant women who consume high amounts of caffeine. Are pregnant women are advised to avoid caffeine altogether?
There is no specific recommendation to avoid caffeine during pregnancy except during pregnancy when the pregnant woman is diabetic.