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Pregnant coffee is not a drink categorically forbidden by gynecologists. However, do not overdo it with its amount. Excessively consuming coffee while pregnant can be dangerous – in extreme cases it can even lead to miscarriage.
Effect of drinking coffee in pregnancy on the fetus
Included in coffee caffeine and its metabolism products pass into the placenta and then into the fetus. While pregnancy it takes longer to metabolize and remove caffeine from the body, hence the fetus is exposed to them for quite a long time. Scientific research has not shown that caffeine has a direct effect on development and the fetus and, for example, causing birth defects in the fetus. Drinking has also not been shown to be a direct effect pregnant coffee on the frequency of miscarriages. And yet, it is assumed that excessive coffee consumption during pregnancy can have a negative effect on the development of the unborn child (including low birth weight) and can cause miscarriage or premature birth. The mechanism behind this adverse effect of drinking coffee during pregnancy has not been fully understood – some scientists believe it is because caffeine raises catecholamine levels, which in turn disrupts the blood flow in the placenta and causes the fetus to receive less nutrients.
Caffeine contained in coffee also raises blood pressure, has a negative effect on the nervous and digestive systems. It irritates the stomach and can cause heartburn and nausea. In addition, it flushes magnesium and calcium from the body, which in itself is unfavorable, and drinking coffee during pregnancy has a particularly bad effect on the level of these elements in the blood. During pregnancy, calcium levels are primarily impaired – pregnant women have a deficiency because the developing baby in their womb takes calcium to build their bones. Excessive consumption of coffee during pregnancy also impairs the absorption of iron from food, which may cause anemia in the pregnant woman.
Do you want to support your body during pregnancy? The source of vitamins and minerals can be prenatal supplements suitable for pregnant women, available at Medonet Market.
What is the maximum safe dose of caffeine in pregnancy?
There is also decaffeinated coffee available on the market – therefore, during pregnancy, you do not have to completely give up drinking coffee, but it is worth replacing the traditional one with a decaffeinated product. You can buy Chicory Root Coffee, Dandelion Root Coffee or Herbal Grain Coffee at Medonet Market.
If for some reason a woman does not want to give up drinking her favorite traditional coffee during pregnancy, remember that the safe maximum dose of caffeine during this time is 200-300 mg per day. This means that the daily consumption of coffee should be limited to 1-2 cups of this drink. Additionally, it should not be too strong coffee.
The caffeine content in coffee depends on the method of brewing, roasting and grinding the beans, and how much coffee is poured into the cup.
Ground coffee has a lower caffeine content (about 74 mg per 160 ml cup), while instant coffee has about 117 mg of caffeine per 160 ml cup. Ground coffee brewed with boiling water will have more caffeine than the coffee made from the machine. If you grind the coffee yourself in the grinder, it will have less caffeine than the finished ground coffee available in the store. In decaffeinated coffee, the caffeine content is traceable, amounting to only 4 mg per 200 ml of drink.
The expectant mother should also be aware and remember that caffeine is also found in tea, energy drinks, cola, and cocoa, which is perceived as healthy, nutritious and provides magnesium.
If a pregnant woman finds it difficult to give up drinking coffee during pregnancy, she should limit her consumption to 1-2 cups a day, preferably supplemented with milk. In addition, she should eliminate cola, energy drinks and limit black tea from her diet – a cup of strong black tea has as much caffeine as a cup of weak coffee made from ground beans. Caffeine is also found in chocolate, both in drinking and chocolate bars. When pregnant, it is best to choose a grain coffee that does not contain caffeine at all. For future mothers – lovers of traditional coffee – the only thing left to do is to limit their consumption or choose decaffeinated coffee.