The Safety of Caffeine During Pregnancy
Many obstetricians already advise pregnant women to limit caffeine but the subject has been debated with conflicting studies. Too much caffeine during pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage; a new study suggests that pregnant women want to reduce their intake or cut it out entirely. The new study, published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, found that pregnant women who consume 200 milligrams or more of caffeine a day may double their risk of miscarriage. To put this in perspective, here are some examples of caffeinated foods/beverages and how much caffeine is contained:
- An eight-ounce cup of drip-brewed coffee typically has 65-120 mg
- An eight and one-third ounce energy drink contains between 50-200mg
- An eight-ounce serving of brewed tea has 20-90mg
- Caffeinated soft drinks have 30-60mg per 12 ounce serving
- An ounce of milk chocolate has 1-15mg
According to the March of Dimes website, most experts agreed that the amount of caffeine found in 8 to 16 ounces of coffee a day was safe. It noted that some studies had linked higher amounts to miscarriage and low birth weight, but stated: “However, there is no solid proof that caffeine causes these problems. Until more is known, women should limit their caffeine intake during pregnancy.” Now, having reviewed the study, the March of Dimes plans to change its message, to advise women who are pregnant, or trying to conceive, to limit their daily caffeine intake to 200 milligrams or less, said Janis Biermann, its senior vice president of education and public health.
Dr. Carolyn Westhoff, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology, and epidemiology, at Columbia University Medical Center, had reservations about the study, noting that miscarriage is difficult to study or explain. Dr. Westhoff said that most miscarriages resulted from chromosomal abnormalities, and there was no evidence that caffeine could cause those problems. “Just interviewing women, over half of whom had already had their miscarriage, does not strike me as the best way to get at the real scientific question here,” she said. “But it is an excellent way to scare women.” She said that smoking, Chlamydia infections and increasing maternal age were stronger risk factors for miscarriage, and ones that women could do something about.
Although this particular study showed some significant results, the relationship of caffeine with miscarriage is still not clear. If you or someone you know is pregnant it is important to remain aware of precautions relating to nutrition but not become obsessive about everything you put in your body. This study further supports the fact that moderation in all things is still an excellent rule.
For further information on this study:
http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/webfiles/images/journals/ymob/mob999082637p.pdf
- An eight-ounce cup of drip-brewed coffee typically has 65-120 mg
- An eight and one-third ounce energy drink contains between 50-200mg
- An eight-ounce serving of brewed tea has 20-90mg
- Caffeinated soft drinks have 30-60mg per 12 ounce serving
- An ounce of milk chocolate has 1-15mg
According to the March of Dimes website, most experts agreed that the amount of caffeine found in 8 to 16 ounces of coffee a day was safe. It noted that some studies had linked higher amounts to miscarriage and low birth weight, but stated: “However, there is no solid proof that caffeine causes these problems. Until more is known, women should limit their caffeine intake during pregnancy.” Now, having reviewed the study, the March of Dimes plans to change its message, to advise women who are pregnant, or trying to conceive, to limit their daily caffeine intake to 200 milligrams or less, said Janis Biermann, its senior vice president of education and public health.
Dr. Carolyn Westhoff, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology, and epidemiology, at Columbia University Medical Center, had reservations about the study, noting that miscarriage is difficult to study or explain. Dr. Westhoff said that most miscarriages resulted from chromosomal abnormalities, and there was no evidence that caffeine could cause those problems. “Just interviewing women, over half of whom had already had their miscarriage, does not strike me as the best way to get at the real scientific question here,” she said. “But it is an excellent way to scare women.” She said that smoking, Chlamydia infections and increasing maternal age were stronger risk factors for miscarriage, and ones that women could do something about.
Although this particular study showed some significant results, the relationship of caffeine with miscarriage is still not clear. If you or someone you know is pregnant it is important to remain aware of precautions relating to nutrition but not become obsessive about everything you put in your body. This study further supports the fact that moderation in all things is still an excellent rule.
For further information on this study:
http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/webfiles/images/journals/ymob/mob999082637p.pdf
posted by Margie Geiser, MBA, RD, NSCA-CPT at
7:08 AM
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