Caffeine It is a natural stimulant found in coffee, tea, yerba mate and other plants. Caffeine can have a number of harmful health effects when consumed in excess. The Mayo Clinic recommends cutting back if one consumes more than 500 mg of caffeine daily. However, more caution is advised for pregnant women, as caffeine can cross the placental barrier and enter the bloodstream of the developing fetus, and high doses of caffeine have also been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage, low birth weight and other complications.

Risks of caffeine consumption during pregnancy:

The issue of the safety of caffeine during pregnancy has not been thoroughly studied scientifically. There is some controversy and much uncertainty as to how much caffeine is safe for pregnant women to consume. However, there have been a number of studies that have found an increased risk of various pregnancy problems associated with heavy caffeine use, including spontaneous abortion, stillbirthY low birth weight. Studies have been conducted that have controlled for potential confounders such as age and smoking, and some have even found an increased risk of miscarriage associated with higher caffeine intake.

Many studies have not found higher rates of miscarriage or other risks for more moderate caffeine users. However, the exact amount of caffeine that leads to increased risk is uncertain.

How much caffeine is safe during pregnancy?

The exact safe limits for caffeine consumption during pregnancy are not well understood, but some medical organizations have made specific recommendations. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a professional organization of physicians in the United States who specialize in obstetrics and gynecology, issued a press release in July 2010, making its official recommendation that it is safe for pregnant women to consume up to 200 mg of caffeine per day. The organization had conducted a survey of the scientific literature and noted that there was no evidence that these low doses of caffeine posed any risk to pregnant women.

Other organizations echo this recommendation. The American Pregnancy Association, a national nonprofit organization in the United States, recommends that less than 200 mg of caffeine is safe for consumption by pregnant women. The Mayo Clinic takes a vague stance, weakly stating that “your health care provider may recommend limiting the amount of caffeine in your diet to less than 200 mg per day during pregnancy,” reflecting the fact that this research is young and little known. , but still echoing the same general idea.

Caffeine content of various beverages:

Coffee It is the highest in caffeine among natural sources. While the caffeine content of coffee varies widely, coffee often contains 120 mg or more of caffeine per 8 oz cup. This means that a 16oz cup of coffee, available at most coffee shops, can already put one over the 200mg limit. Two shots of espresso can also reach this limit.

Tea, including black tea, green tea, oolong tea, and white tea, naturally contain caffeine, but in much lower amounts. Most teas contain 60 mg of caffeine per cup or less, and the caffeine content varies widely from tea to tea. Given this restriction, pregnant women should consume no more than 3 cups of tea per day, unless they are sure they are drinking less caffeinated teas. Tea, because it contains less caffeine per cup than coffee, offers a good alternative to coffee for pregnant women who want to reduce their caffeine intake. However, it’s best to avoid most bottled (ready-to-drink) iced teas, as they can be high in sugar.

yerba mate it also has a variable caffeine content, depending on how it has been prepared. Yerba mate may have less caffeine per cup than coffee, but can also reach similar levels. Because yerba mate hasn’t been as well studied and isn’t standardized, it’s safer to assume that it may have as much caffeine as coffee.

drinks without alcohol It can also contain caffeine and typically contains less per cup than coffee. However, soft drinks provide empty calories or artificial sweeteners and have no health benefit or nutritional value. It is best to avoid them not only during pregnancy, but at all times.

In summary:

When it comes to caffeine use during pregnancy, moderation is key. The current medical consensus is that it is safe for pregnant women to consume 200 mg or less of caffeine per day, about one cup of coffee or up to 3 cups of tea. Tea is a good alternative to coffee because it contains less caffeine.