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One of the most widely consumed beverages globally, coffee has been found to give benefits beyond an energy boost. According to several studies, regular coffee consumption reduces the risk of heart failure, diabetes, colon cancer and Parkinson’s disease. Moreover, it has been found to produce a protective effect on the liver. However, despite providing the aforementioned benefits, the intake of coffee must be avoided or limited (to two cups a day) by pregnant women as it can augment the risk of various complications.
As per clinicians in Nutrition Hospital, coffee during pregnancy increases blood pressure, heart rate and urination frequency, which may lead to dehydration. Moreover, the half-life of caffeine rises during pregnancy and reaches 11.5-18 hours. It causes the blood vessels in the uterus to constrict, thereby reducing the supply of blood to the fetus and inhibiting its development. According to multiple surveys and studies conducted over the last two decades, high caffeine consumption can lead to major complications, such as stillbirth, miscarriage, small-for-gestational-age-babies and/or low birth weight.
In addition, excessive caffeine intake by pregnant women increases the risk of childhood obesity and childhood acute leukaemia. Experts have also found that children who were exposed to caffeine before birth were, on average, shorter than those whose mothers did not consume caffeine during pregnancy. The difference in height and stature was quite significant at age 4 and this gap widened every year through age 8.
Effects of Caffeine on the Body
Caffeine interacts with several receptors, such as adenosine, adrenergic, cholinergic γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) and serotonin receptors. Besides, caffeine easily crosses the placental barrier and reaches the baby who cannot metabolize it until they are, at least, 3 months old. Moreover, once caffeine crosses the placenta, the rate at which it gets metabolised reduces during pregnancy.
Although studies have found that caffeine is not the only factor that causes complications during pregnancy, its consumption must still be avoided or at least reduced as it can cause dehydration, gastrointestinal issues, lower absorption and metabolism of calcium and a plethora of other health issues.
Recommendations During Pregnancy
UNICEF recommends pregnant women reduce the consumption of tea, coffee, chocolate, cola-type soft drinks and several over-the-counter medicines as these food items contain caffeine which generally increases the risk of preterm birth and miscarriage.
Through various surveys, the organization has found that limiting the intake of coffee and tea to a maximum of two cups a day, waiting two hours after eating a meal before drinking coffee or tea, reducing chocolate consumption and avoiding fizzy and soft drinks help pregnant women mitigate the risk of complications. Additionally, the guidelines issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend the intake of less than 300 mg of caffeine (or two to three cups of coffee) per day during pregnancy.
Furthermore, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends avoiding the consumption of energy drinks completely during pregnancy as these drinks generally contain high amounts of artificial sweeteners or added sugars that lack enough nutritional value.
They also contain various kinds of herbs, such as ginseng, which have been found to be unsafe for pregnant women. Moreover, herbal teas including those made with fenugreek, liquorice root or chicory root, must also be avoided during pregnancy.
Studies have found the below-mentioned herbal teas safe for consumption during pregnancy.
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Peppermint leaf
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Ginger root
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Lemon balm
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Red raspberry leaf (intake should be limited to 1 cup or 240 mL every day during the first trimester).
As with all herbal remedies, dietitians in Goa should always be consulted before consuming herbal teas during pregnancy. Caffeine-free beverages, such as caffeine-free teas, decaf coffee and water are other alternative beverages that are safe for consumption during pregnancy.
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