April 19, 1999 – A new study confirms that pregnant women should refrain from drinking coffee and beverages containing caffeine, to reduce the risk of giving birth prematurely and having a low-weight baby.
The study was carried out by comparing questionnaires filled out by 7,855 new mothers and birth records for their babies. Of the mothers, 202 consumed caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, 1,480 only caffeinated coffee, 504 only decaffeinated coffee, and 5,669 did not consume any kind of coffee.
The study found that there was no difference between women abstaining from coffee and those consuming only decaffeine. In contrast, those who drank decaffeinated coffee and caffeinated coffee gave birth on average 3.2 days earlier than mothers in the first two groups and had babies weighing 50 grams less (1.75 ounces). Mothers consuming only caffeinated coffee gave birth an average of 0.4 days earlier and had babies 17 grams lighter, but because the researchers were unaware of the amount of coffee consumed, it is possible that women consuming both types of coffee. , consumed more than women consuming only caffeinated coffee.
The researchers were also able to identify that the women who drank an average of two drinks a day like Coke and Pepsi had babies weighing 20 grams less than the group abstaining from caffeinated sodas.
Although the study did not examine the risks of miscarriage created by smoking, it did show that mothers who smoked had babies that weighed an average of 200 grams less than the group of non-smokers, that is. that is, much smaller than the babies of mothers who drank caffeine.
According to the Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHP) in Alexandria, Virginia (US), most recent studies show that moderate consumption of caffeine (less than 200 milligrams per day is (i.e. 1 to 2 cups of medium coffee) does not affect fertility and does not increase the risk of miscarriages or birth defects. However, as a diuretic, coffee increases fluid loss and may decrease absorption of iron, a very important element during pregnancy.
In other words, it is best to abstain from coffee or caffeinated beverages during pregnancy, but caffeine is a much less important risk factor than alcohol or tobacco.
HealthPassport.net
According to the New York Times Syndicate
Eskenazi B, Epidemiology (1999; 10: 242-249)
