Is Coffee and Pregnancy Good or Bad?

Becoming an expecting mother means sacrificing much. It is just the way things go. Professionals advise against shellfish and soft cheese, being around wet paint and wearing stilettos. But where do Coffee and pregnancy come into the equation? Is it allowed? Please keep reading the following article to discover Coffee pregnancy facts, figures, recommendations and potential alternatives.

Whether you’re a mum-to-be or not, almost everyone loves the delicious taste and character of Fresh Coffee. This you can buy here at The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company. We stock Loose Tea, too, all of which we pack fresh to order here at our Pluckley-based factory. So, once you’ve learnt everything you need here, please feel free to browse our expansive selection of products.

Can You Drink Coffee During Pregnancy? 

Those asking, “Can you drink Coffee during pregnancy?” are about to receive (relatively) good news. The answer is that yes, you can have it – but in moderation. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists agree. According to Coffee Pregnancy NHS Advice, so long as you limit your intake to 1-2 cups a day, it should be fine.

But why the need to limit intake in the first place? The reason is Caffeine in Coffee. Caffeine is a stimulating chemical compound that, when ingested, provides an energy boost. Too much of it, pregnant or not, can lead to adverse side effects of caffeine. This is especially true for pregnant women as complications associated with it can be even more problematic.

Benefits of Coffee During Pregnancy

We have established that, in moderation, you can drink Coffee when pregnant. Allow us now to move on to, “Is Coffee good for health during pregnancy?” Most noteworthy, perhaps, is that its caffeine will likely improve energy levels and focus – two qualities of which are often affected by pregnancy. Small amounts of it might also treat headaches when combined with pain relievers.

Additionally, according to research, Fresh Coffee, much like Green Tea, contains high levels of antioxidants. These chemical compounds can combat free radicals in the body, which in turn slows down oxidative stress. The result is that frequent consumption can reduce the risk of developing a multitude of chronic conditions from type-2 diabetes to cardiovascular disease to even, potentially, cancer.

Drinking Too Much Coffee During Pregnancy

However, the fact remains that drinking Coffee during pregnancy affects your health in negative ways as well. The most common symptoms are headaches, lethargy, dehydration, dark-yellow urine and constipation. These side effects can occur in almost everyone. The biggest concerns are what can happen to the baby, which is why, of course, you should limit how much you consume when expecting.

Your child’s metabolism is still maturing in the womb and, therefore, is unable to metabolise caffeine. The truth is that any amount of Coffee can cause changes in your baby’s sleep or normal movement patterns. What’s more, Pregnant women who consume over 200-mg of caffeine – i.e. more than 1-2 cups – increase their risk of fetal growth restriction. This can lead to low birth weight or, worse, miscarriage.

Is Decaf Coffee Safe During Pregnancy? 

There could be another option. Is drinking Decaf Coffee safe during pregnancy? It is indeed. But there nevertheless remains an element of risk. A common misconception is that Decaffeinated Coffee and Tea are 100% void of caffeine. This is not true. A trace amount remains following the decaffeination process, no matter how safe or efficient the method. Yet it is better than regular Coffee.

Your best choice would be to select a Decaf Coffee that has undergone Co2 Decaffeination. This involves pressurised liquid carbon dioxide passing through the beans to extract the small caffeine molecules within. It uses no chemical-based solvents and, perhaps most importantly, accounts for between 96% and 98% of caffeine content. The taste remains, too, so it’s a win on all fronts!

Coffee Substitute for Pregnancy

Those who’re worried about the residue 2-4% might want to think outside of the box. One of the best known and most loved Coffee substitutes for pregnancy is so-called Chicory Coffee. This is not, technically, a Coffee at all but the root of the chicory plant. What makes it similar is that it undergoes roasting and, when brewed, has a flavour reminiscent of your favourite beans.

Even further outside of the box is Raspberry Leaf Tea. According to research, when consumed during the third trimester (and not before), it lowers the chance of your running past 41 weeks of pregnancy. Preliminary evidence (emphasis on “preliminary”) even indicates that it might help induce labour. However, it remains paramount that you speak to a medical expert before drinking either beverage.

Summary of Coffee Pregnancy

Can you drink Coffee when pregnant? In moderation, which is around 1-2 cups or 200-mg of caffeine daily. So long as you limit your intake, it might provide health benefits.

Too much, however, could have the opposite effect. You could reduce your chances of complications by buying Decaf Coffee or Tea. Other alternatives include Chicory Coffee and Raspberry Leaf Tea.

Whatever you decide, you can count on The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company to deliver – literally and figuratively! We boast a range of over 1,000 types of Loose Tea and around 70 types of Fresh Coffee.

You can buy them online or visit us in-store here in Pluckley, Kent. Indeed, now that you know Coffee pregnancy facts, all that’s left is to find the brew for you.