Decaffeinated Coffee During Pregnancy
Contents:
- Is Decaf Coffee Safe During Pregnancy?
- Negative Effects of Caffeine During Pregnancy
- Is Decaffeinated Coffee that Safe During Pregnancy?
- Conclusion
Is Decaf Coffee Safe During Pregnancy?
It’s well known that coffee is not recommended during pregnancy due to the negative effects that caffeine (the major ingredient in coffee) can cause on the body of a future mother. Most pregnant women don’t drink coffee, but how about those who cannot live a day without this energy drink? Besides, often womens’ tastes change during pregnancy making them crave coffee even if they couldn’t stand a smell of coffee before the pregnancy. The obvious solution is decaffeinated coffee, which is very popular among health eaters and recommended during pregnancy – but is it that safe though?
Negative Effects of Caffeine During Pregnancy
It’s known that caffeine is an energy booster. It increases heart rate, stimulates the central nervous system, constricts blood vessels and makes blood flow quicker. You feel an energy boost, but soon the caffeine effect subsides and you need a new serve. Pregnant women are not recommended to drink coffee due to its effect on blood pressure. The fetus doesn’t receive the required nutrients because the blood vessels are constricted.
Women who drank coffee during pregnancy usually have babies with a low birth weight. The instant blood pressure rise can lead to placental abruption, bleeding and other life-threatening complications. Caffeine prevents the body from absorbing calcium. Pregnant women need an increased level of calcium for the baby’s skeleton. Large intakes of strong coffee (more than 3 cups a day) may cause dehydration of a woman’s body.
Is Decaffeinated Coffee that Safe During Pregnancy?
Coffee lovers usually switch to a decaf version during pregnancy. It is considered to be a safe drink because unlike a regular coffee, it neither increases blood pressure nor stimulates the central nervous system. Even so, you still can’t drink decaf in large amounts either. First of all, caffeine is not the only negative ingredient in coffee. Coffee contains resins, alkaloids, tannin, organic acids, coffee oil, and fiber. Not all of the mentioned ingredients are safe for pregnant women, which makes decaf coffee not so safe during pregnancy. We are not talking about instant coffee, which isn’t real coffee after all.
Scientists found out recently that decaffeinated coffee beans increase LDL cholesterol levels in blood, which can lead to atherosclerosis. Decaf coffee also stimulates gastric acid, which is not good for people with gastro diseases.
When you are choosing a decaf coffee, opt for good and well-known brands. Some manufacturers use cheap solvents that may have harmful effect on a future mom’s health.
Conclusion
So is it totally safe to drink decaf coffee during pregnancy? It is in moderate amounts. A daily intake should be about 2-3 cups. Don’t drink more than that because coffee is still an occasional treat rather than a health supplement.