Caffeine During Pregnancy: How Much Is Safe? - Healthline

Maybe your like

HealthlineSubscribe

Parenthood

Nutrition

Evidence BasedCaffeine During Pregnancy: How Much Is Safe?

Medically reviewed by Atli Arnarson BSc, PhD — Written by Makayla Meixner MS, RDN on November 20, 2018

Safety
Recommendations
Amount in beverages
Bottom line

Caffeine is a stimulant that provides a boost of energy and makes you feel more alert.

It’s consumed worldwide, with coffee and tea being two of the most popular sources (1).

While caffeine is considered safe for the general population, health authorities advise limiting your intake when expecting (2).

This article discusses how much caffeine you can safely consume during pregnancy.

pregnant woman reclining on the couch with a mug

Is it safe?

For many people, caffeine has favorable effects on energy levels, focus and even migraines. Additionally, some caffeinated beverages offer health benefits.

However, caffeine can cause negative side effects in some and may pose risks during pregnancy.

Potential benefits

Caffeine is proven to improve energy levels and focus.

Research shows that caffeine stimulates your brain and central nervous system, which may help you stay awake and sharpen mental alertness (2, 3).

It may also be effective at treating headaches when combined with pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (4).

Additionally, some caffeinated beverages contain antioxidants, beneficial compounds that can protect your cells from damage, reduce inflammation and ward off chronic disease (5, 6).

Green tea is especially high in antioxidants, but other teas and coffee contain substantial amounts as well (7, 8).

Potential risks

Caffeine has many potential benefits, but there’s concern that it may be harmful when consumed during pregnancy.

Pregnant women metabolize caffeine much more slowly. In fact, it can take 1.5–3.5 times longer to eliminate caffeine from your body. Caffeine also crosses the placenta and enters the baby’s bloodstream, raising concerns that it can affect the baby’s health (9).

The American College of Obstetricians Gynecologists (ACOG) states that moderate amounts of caffeine — less than 200 mg per day — are not linked to an increased risk of miscarriage or preterm birth (10).

However, research suggests that intakes greater than 200 mg per day may raise the risk of miscarriage (11).

Additionally, some evidence suggests that even low intakes of caffeine may result in low birth weight. For example, one study found that low intakes of 50– 149 mg per day during pregnancy were associated with a 13% higher risk of low birth weight (9, 12).

However, more research is needed. The risk of miscarriage, low birth weight and other adverse effects due to higher intakes of caffeine during pregnancy remains largely unclear.

Other negative side effects of caffeine include high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, increased anxiety, dizziness, restlessness, abdominal pain and diarrhea (2, 13).

summary
Caffeine may boost energy levels, improve focus and help relieve headaches. However, it may pose risks when consumed in high amounts during pregnancy, such as an increased risk of miscarriage and low birth weight.

Recommendations during pregnancy

The ACOG recommends limiting your caffeine intake to 200 mg or less if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant (14).

Depending on the type and preparation method, this is equivalent to about 1–2 cups (240–580 ml) of coffee or about 2–4 cups (240–960 ml) of brewed tea per day (1).

Along with limiting your intake, you should also consider the source.

For instance, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends avoiding energy drinks entirely during pregnancy.

In addition to caffeine, energy drinks usually contain high amounts of added sugars or artificial sweeteners, which lack nutritional value.

They also contain various herbs, such as ginseng, that have been deemed unsafe for pregnant women. Other herbs used in energy drinks have not been adequately studied for their safety during pregnancy (15).

Moreover, you should avoid certain herbal teas during pregnancy, including those made with chicory root, licorice root or fenugreek (16, 17).

The following herbal teas have been reported as safe during pregnancy (17):

ginger root
peppermint leaf
red raspberry leaf — limit your intake to 1 cup (240 mL) per day during the first trimester
lemon balm

As with any herbal remedy, it’s a good idea to consult with your doctor before drinking herbal teas during pregnancy.

Instead, consider caffeine-free beverages, such as water, decaf coffee and safe caffeine-free teas.

summary
During pregnancy, limit caffeine to less than 200 mg per day and avoid energy drinks entirely. Some herbal teas may be safe to drink, but it’s always best to check with your doctor first.

Caffeine content of popular beverages

Coffee, teas, soft drinks, energy drinks and other beverages contain varying amounts of caffeine.

Here’s a list of the caffeine content in some common drinks (1, 18):

Coffee: 60–200 mg per 8-oz (240-ml) serving
Espresso: 30–50 mg per 1-oz (30-ml) serving
Yerba mate: 65–130 mg per 8-oz (240-ml) serving
Energy drinks: 50–160 mg per 8-oz (240-ml) serving
Brewed tea: 20–120 mg per 8-oz (240-ml) serving
Soft drinks: 30–60 mg per 12-oz (355-ml) serving
Cocoa beverage: 3–32 mg per 8-oz (240-ml) serving
Chocolate milk: 2–7 mg per 8-oz (240-ml) serving
Decaffeinated coffee: 2–4 mg per 8-oz (240-ml) serving

Note that caffeine is also found in some foods. For example, chocolate can contain 1–35 mg of caffeine per ounce (28 grams). Typically, dark chocolate has higher concentrations (18).

Additionally, certain medications like pain relievers may contain caffeine, and it’s frequently added to supplements, such as weight loss pills and pre-workout mixes.

Be sure to check with your doctor if you’re concerned about the caffeine content of your diet.

summary
The amount of caffeine in coffee, teas, soft drinks, energy drinks and other beverages varies. Foods like chocolate, certain medications and various supplements often contain caffeine as well.

The bottom line

Caffeine is popularly consumed worldwide. It’s been shown to boost energy levels, improve focus and even relieve headaches.

Though caffeine has benefits, health authorities recommend watching your intake during pregnancy.

Most experts agree that caffeine is safe during pregnancy if limited to 200 mg or less per day. This equals about 1–2 cups (240–580 mL) of coffee or 2–4 cups (540–960 mL) of caffeinated tea.

Parenthood
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Health

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Atli Arnarson BSc, PhD — Written by Makayla Meixner MS, RDN on November 20, 2018

Caffeine During Pregnancy: How Much Is Safe? - Healthline

Health Conditions

Condition Spotlight

Wellness Topics

Product Reviews

Featured Programs

Featured

Lessons

Newsletters

Lifestyle Quizzes

Health News

This Just In

Top Reads

Video Series

Find Your Bezzy Community

Follow us on social media

Parenthood

Nutrition

Is it safe?

Potential benefits

Potential risks

Recommendations during pregnancy

Caffeine content of popular beverages

The bottom line

Read this next

Convert 200 Milligrams To Ounces

Convert 200 Milligrams To Grams

200 Mg To G - CoolConversion

200 Mg To Kg - CoolConversion

200 Milligram To Gram Conversion Calculator - 200 Mg To G

What Is 200 Milligrams In Ounces? Convert 200 Mg To Oz

200 Mg To G (Convert 200 Milligrams To Grams) - Converter Maniacs

How Many Ounces In 200 Milligrams? - HowMany.wiki

What Is 200 Milligrams (mg) In Grams (g)? - TotalCalc

How Much Is 200mg Of Caffeine? A Guide For Pregnant Women

How Much Cholesterol Should I Have Per Day? - Healthline

Nurofen 200 Mg Caplets (Pharmacy) - (emc)

Fenofibrate 200 Mg Capsules - Summary Of Product Characteristics ...

Contact