Healthcare is especially important for expectant mothers, not least food issues that can affect how their baby develops in the womb. They should also watch what they drink. For instance, many hard-working women enjoy a coffee or two during the day. However, when you are pregnant, it is best to steer clear of coffee and drink other healthy, flavorful, and nutritious beverages instead.

What does coffee contain? How does it affect the body?

One cup of coffee contains up to 1,000 active substances, including caffeine, diterpene and antioxidants.

-           Caffeine – Although it makes you feel energized and alert, caffeine also has negative impacts. It contributes to high blood pressure, reduces insulin, and increases excretion of calcium in urine which is one of the causes of osteoporosis.

-           Diterpene – Diterpene increases cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. This may interfere with lipid control in those with high blood lipid levels.

-           Antioxidants – Antioxidants which have anti-oxidation reactions are beneficial to the body. They reduce free radicals, inflammatory reactions, and incidence of atherosclerosis. They also assist utilization of glucose and fat.

How does caffeine affect expectant mothers?

Although caffeine is helpful in increasing alertness and averting drowsiness, it can directly affect the health of expectant mothers’ babies as it penetrates the placenta making the unborn baby more alert too. This affects the baby’s movement and sleep and can lead to serious consequences such as congenital malformations, miscarriage, and low birth weight. As for women who are planning pregnancy, consumption of too much caffeinated beverages raises the risk of infertility.

How should expectant mothers consume caffeinated beverages?

Expectant mothers should basically refrain from caffeinated beverages. So long as the amount of caffeine doesn’t exceed 200 milligrams per day, they can still safely enjoy a little coffee or tea, but chocolate, cocoa or green tea is better.  A 30 ml espresso contains 47-64 milligrams of caffeine, so the maximum an expectant mother might be able to get away with is three cups a day.

Healthy drinks for expectant mothers

Expectant mothers are recommended to switch to non-caffeinated beverages. Try other healthier drinks which should be good both for yourself and your baby such as:

-           Ginger juice helps milk production and relieves bloating.

-           Milk, whether goat milk, rice milk, soy milk, almond milk, oat milk or cow's milk, is rich in calcium and protein, enhancing baby’s growth and strengthening their bones.

-           Fruit and vegetable juices beneficial to babies in the womb include tomato juice, passionfruit juice, orange juice, apple juice, okra juice, lemon juice, carrot juice, guava juice, grape juice, beetroot juice, and strawberry juice. Honey is good too.

To summarize, it is best for expectant mothers to avoid caffeinated beverages. To make the switch, start by controlling and gradually reducing caffeine intake to allow the body to adjust. Replace those coffees with healthy drinks that are good for unborn babies.

Krungthai-AXA Life Insurance customers interested in health care can read up on many topics at https://www.krungthai-axa.co.th/th/health-advisories.

References

·       Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University
https://bit.ly/3iQ819O

·       Ramkhamhaeng Hospital
https://www.ram-hosp.co.th/news_detail/649

·       Pobpad website
https://bit.ly/3wSNVny
https://bit.ly/36LiUHf