When pregnant, many expecting mothers must reconsider their habits and lifestyles, for the health and wellbeing of both them and their baby. One major thing that is questioned by many pregnant women is whether or not they can consume coffee. As coffee is a daily staple for many individuals, is it safe to drink decaf coffee while pregnant?
Coffee and Caffeine
Coffee, depending on the roast and blend, contains a range of caffeinated levels. For example, espresso can contain up to twice as much caffeine as regular crafted coffee. High levels of caffeine, when consumed regularly and in excess, can be harmful to both baby and mother as it can lead to effects such as palpitations, increased risk of miscarriage, and impaired fetal growth.
On the other hand, decaffeinated coffee contains just 1-2% of the amount of caffeine as regular coffee, so less of it enters the bloodstream and less of it enters the fetus. This makes it a much safer and healthier option for expecting mothers to consider.
Decaf Coffee While Pregnant
Experts suggest that women consider limiting their consumption of regular coffee while pregnant, as caffeine consumption over 200 milligrams (about two regular cups of coffee) can be harmful to both mother and baby. The risks and dangers of consumption grow with increased servings. However, consumption of decaf coffee (unsure if capped at the same amount) has been found to be safe for consumption during pregnancy, with no risks for either party as no caffeine is consumed.
At the same time, however, some studies have found that, even with decaf coffee, there is a potential risk with excess consumption leading to late-term miscarriages.
Health Benefits
Despite the confusion and controversy surrounding the effects of coffee on an expecting mother, the truth is, pregnant women can enjoy the benefits of certain decaffeinated coffee drinks. Though the jury is still out on exactly how much is healthy, coffee can provide great health benefits to a pregnant woman. These can include protection against neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and improved immunity.
When consumed in moderation, decaf coffee can also act as a mild mood-boosting agent, as well as provide basic energy boosts for an expecting mother to power through their day. These health benefits can be compounded if the beverage is consumed without cream and sugar, which can potentially make the beverage undesirably unhealthy.
The Best Option
At the end of the day, the best option for pregnant women when it comes to drinking coffee is to opt for decaffeinated coffee. Allowing for the appropriate prenatal intakes of caffeine, decaf coffee avoids the risks associated with higher amounts.
As with anything, moderation is always key, so expecting mothers should avoid consuming more than a small cup of decaf coffee each day. Though it is always important to seek advice from a medical health practitioner prior to major decisions such as this, the hidden benefits of occasional decaf coffee far outweigh its risks when consumed in moderation.
What About Other Coffee Drink Options?
When it comes to other coffee-related beverage options, it is worth noting that latte, cappuccino, and mocha mixes (among other drink options), contain much higher levels of caffeine, due to the addition of chocolate and milk proteins. For this reason, these options should be avoided when pregnant. The best substitutes that allow for a little sweetness but at the same time, avoid the caffeine include: almond milk-based lattes, herbal tea-based lattes, and yerba mate-based lattes.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, pregnant women should seek the advice of their healthcare professional when it comes to their diet and caffeine intake. While health benefits can be found in a little moderation, it is always best to opt for decaffeinated options for health reasons. However, with other coffee drink options, these should be avoided due to their higher levels of caffeine, as this can potentially affect both the mother and the baby.
