Should pregnant women drink coffee?

Answer:

Coffee is not just a source of caffeine, as it also provides B vitamins such as B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), and important minerals like manganese and potassium, along with antioxidants from the polyphenol group.

While you can continue to enjoy coffee, it’s crucial to monitor your total daily caffeine intake from all sources—including green tea, cocoa powder, chocolate, bubble tea, energy drinks, and certain candies—to ensure it does not exceed 200 mg.

The amount of caffeine in coffee can vary significantly based on the brand, type, and method of brewing. It’s generally advised that pregnant women limit their consumption to one 236 ml cup per serving. If coffee is your sole source of caffeine for the day, up to two cups or approximately 472 ml is permissible, depending on the specific caffeine content of each cup.

Moderate coffee consumption can be beneficial for pregnant women, as it helps reduce fatigue, enhances energy, and improves alertness. Furthermore, consuming less than 100 mg of caffeine daily may reduce the risk of gestational diabetes by 47%.

However, excessive coffee intake during pregnancy can lead to several risks. Caffeine can decrease blood flow to the fetus, which may cause the fetus to increase its breathing rate to compensate for oxygen deficiency. High levels of caffeine consumption are also associated with an increased risk of insomnia, miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, and low birth weight in newborns.

Given that pregnant women have different health conditions, underlying diseases, and stages of fetal development, consulting an obstetrician or nutritionist before making coffee a regular part of your diet is essential.

Choosing pure coffee with minimal additives and preservatives is preferable over milk coffee or instant varieties to avoid excess sugars and fats, thereby reducing the risk of excessive weight gain or gestational diabetes. Establishing a balanced pregnancy diet that includes a variety of foods is vital to maintain an adequate intake of essential nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Dr. Nguyen Anh Duy Tung

Nutrihome Nutrition Center