Caffeine
and Pregnancy Don't Mix
There have been several studies recently that suggest a link between reduced fertility and caffeine consumption. If you can't live without your java, you can relax,since reduced fertility is associated with consuming more than 300 mg. of
caffeine each day. The average cup of coffee only contains 100-130 mg. of the
evil caffeine, so you're safe enough if you limit yourself to 1-2 cups of the
brew each day. Keep in mind, though, that other beverages contain caffeine,
including strong black or green tea, as well as many popular carbonated drinks.
However,if you are one of the many women interested in undergoing in vitro fertilisation, you should bear in mind that the threshold for caffeine is much lower: a single cup of weak tea, containing 50 mg. of caffeine, can have a significant negative impact on IVF success rates.
Even Low Amounts of Caffeine Can Have an
Effect on Fertility.
If you're trying to get pregnant, and not having much success, you may want to
restrict your caffeine intake still further, even if you're not yet ready for
IVF. It's difficult to test for the effect of various foods and medications on
pregnancy, since there is a moral question involved with testing drugs and
other substances with pregnant subjects or even those trying to conceive.
That's why doctors tend to suggest that staying away from caffeine is best,
since even lower amounts of caffeine can have an effect on fertility.
Caffeine has long been suspected of causing birth defects and reducing fertility rates.
The reports are controversial, but it has been shown that caffeine consumption
reduces sperm motility, and this is responsible in part for the statistics linking
caffeine consumption to reduced fertility.
A study of 1,063 women in the San
Francisco area was undertaken in the early months of
their pregnancies. The women were questioned in detail about beverage
consumption and morning sickness. It was found that women who ingested 200 mg.
of caffeine or more daily experienced twice the rate of miscarriage. 200 mg. of
caffeine is roughly the equivalent of 2 cups of coffee, five cans of carbonated
beverages, or 5 cups of tea.
Try Switching From Coffee to Brisk Walks
or Yoga, or Snacking on Dried Fruit and Nuts.
The findings of this study suggest that caffeine causes miscarriage.
Avoiding coffee, tea, and carbonated beverages is best, but limiting these to
one cup a day should be the upper limit. To increase energy levels in a more
natural, healthy way, try switching from coffee to brisk walks or yoga, or
snacking on dried fruit and nuts.
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