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Women who drink tea or coffee during pregnancy are more likely to have small babies, research suggests.Even women who drink less than the ‘safe’ cutoff of 200mg caffeine – about two mugs of instant coffee or three cups of tea – are more at risk of having low-birth weight or premature newborns.
The researchers, from University College Dublin, believe caffeine restricts blood flow to the placenta, affecting babies’ growth. The study, led by doctor Ling-Wei Chen, looked at 941 mother-child pairs born in Ireland. Tea was the mothers’ main source of caffeine (48 per cent), followed by coffee (38 percent).
The results suggested that for every additional 100mg of caffeine – around half a cup of coffee – consumed daily during the first trimester, birth weight was reduced by 0.5lbs (72g). This amount of caffeine also decreased the babies’ length and head circumference, as well as their gestational age, which measures the length of pregnancy.
Drinking tea or coffee during pregnancy reduces baby size even if you consume less than the ‘safe’ amount. Blood flow to the foetus is restricted, says University College Dublin study. Women who drink tea or coffee during pregnancy are more likely to have small babies, research suggests.
Even women who drink less than the ‘safe’ cutoff of 200mg caffeine – about two mugs of instant coffee or three cups of tea – are more at risk of having low-birth weight or premature newborns.
The study, led by doctor Ling-Wei Chen, looked at 941 mother-child pairs born in Ireland. Tea was the mothers’ main source of caffeine (48 per cent), followed by coffee (38 percent).
The results suggested that for every additional 100mg of caffeine – around half a cup of coffee – consumed daily during the first trimester, birth weight was reduced by 0.5lbs (72g).
This amount of caffeine also decreased the babies’ length and head circumference, as well as their gestational age, which measures the length of pregnancy.
One cup of dark-roasted coffee every morning could ward off dementia and Parkinson’s – even if it’s decaf, study claim. Results further found the women who consumed the most caffeine had babies weighing around 0.37lbs (170g) less than those who had the least.
Based on the consistent associations observed, many pregnancies are unplanned, women who are pregnant or seeking to become pregnant at least limit their intakes of caffeinated coffee and tea.
The NHS recommends no more than two mugs of coffee or three cups of tea. Blood flow to the foetus is restricted, says University College Dublin study. Women who drink tea or coffee during pregnancy are more likely to have small babies, research suggests.