Caffeine & Low Birth Weight Babies

These studies begin to point the way to the more permanentdamage that coffee drinking can inflict on the unborn. The use of caffeine during pregnancy has been widely studied. There is much evidence to suggest that caffeine is associated with low-birth weight and related problems.

For example, one recent (1997) study of about 1,000 women inYugoslavia showed that, among nonsmoking mothers, a "significantreduction" in birth weight was observed in babies whose mothersdrank just 71 mg of caffeine a day - less than one cup. Low birth weight is generally considered to be newborn babies weighing less than five pounds.

WHY WOMEN SHOULD AVOID COFFEE

Interestingly, the average caffeine intake of these subjects was133 mg per day, or nearly double that at which low-birth weightincidences begin to appear. Part of the problem caused by mothers who use caffeine is the way the female body clears caffeine during pregnancy.

Studies have shown that during their first trimester of pregnancy, coffee-drinking women clear caffeine from their bodies in the same way that nonpregnant women do. But after that, the half-life of caffeine (the timeit takes to eliminate half of the ingested caffeine from the body) almost doubles - from 2.5 hours to 4.5 hours. Therefore, since caffeine remains in the body for a longer period of time, it courses through the veins of the fetus for longer periods of time.

It's not unusual, then, for studies to consistently report that there is a significant increased risk of miscarriage and low-birth weight when pregnant mothers drink coffee. And the increased risk starts at extremely low amounts - with just one or two cups a day. And why is all this talk about low-birth weight important? Lower birth weight is linked to increased risk of dying in early infancy.

Marina Kushner is the founder of the Caffeine Awareness Alliance, the first non-profit organization dedicated solely to educating consumers about the dangers of caffeine intoxication. She is a reformed coffee drinker, leading investigative journalist and speaker. She is president of Soy Coffee, LLC, makers of the popular caffeine-free coffee substitute "Soyfee", which is made from soybeans. Certified organic, its brewed just like coffee and comes in 8 delicious flavors like hazelnut, mocha, french vanilla & house blend. Its available at select health food stores or online at http://www.soycoffee.com.

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Coffee Information:

Related Articles

Coffee and Depression: Coffee as an Antidepressant?
When you grab that morning cup of java, you're probably not thinking of it as an antidepressant. You're just trying to get that morning pick me up to get your day going.
History of Arabian Coffee
Arabian coffee is the quintessential coffee of the world. Arabia lends its name to the highest quality coffee plant in the world, Coffea Arabica.
Creating the Perfect Foam
Most places that serve cappuccinos in the United States have not trained their baristas in the art of properly frothing milk. The foam that they create is usually a dry, tasteless, large celled collection of bubbles that sit on top of the espresso like a meringue.
Mocha Coffee: Learn About the Source and Try Our Recipes for Making Great Mochas
Depending on how we look at it, mocha coffee may be the tall drink made of coffee, cocoa and milk, often served with cream or, on the other hand mocha coffee may refer to the source.Yemen is the source of true Mocha coffee.
Cappuccino Secrets: Creating the Perfect Foam
Here is an article that tells the secret of creating the perfect foam with steamed milk for making a wonderful cappuccino. As you'll see creating the perfect foam isn't as easy as it may seem .
Does Your Morning Coffee Cause You Pain or Discomfort?
Does your morning coffee cause you pain? Are you frustrated whena night out dining with friends ends in discomfort instead ofrelaxed conversation? Do you carry antacids with you every day?Heartburn is more than just a nuisance. It can detract fromenjoying a meal, force you to change your routine and hang overyour every decision - what to eat, what to drink, when to laydown.
Who is Juan Valdez?
Juan Valdez is a fictitious character who was created in 1959 to represent the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Columbia, founded in 1926.He is one of the most familiar faces in the advertising world, with his moustache, sombrero, poncho and his faithful mule, Lana.
Coffee and Health
From the year dot, my mother taught all her children that coffee was not bad for you. But of course it is.
Are Coffee Enemas The Real Thing?
Coffee enemas detoxify the liver, as well as cleans the colon. Some people claim that they provide immediate relief to toxicity symptoms, such as congestion, indigestion, pain and headaches.
Russian Tea drinking - The beginning
It is believed history of Russian tea drinking tradition have began at 1638.That year, Russian Czar, Michael Fedorovich, granddad of Peter the Great,got special, diplomatic gift from Altyun-Khan, ruler of Mongolia.
Tips For Choosing The Perfect Travel Mug
A good travel mug is a must when you need to take your coffee or tea with you on the road. There are many different types of mugs available, so here are a few tips to consider before you purchase one.
A Little Secret Your Dentist Doesnt Want You To Know
Most dentist, particular those who specialize in cosmetic dentistry love it when you drink coffee & tea. Why? Your making them wealthy! Because all coffees and teas contain tannic acid.
Mr. Coffee Versus Bunn-o-Matic - The Coffee Maker Battle Heats Up
For coffee lovers, there are few things more appealing than being met in the early a.m.
Those Elusive Coffee Beans!
With the spread of various coffee beans into our lives, it can be more and more difficult to discern what you're buying at the market. And that's not surprising given the sheer numbers game.
Coffee Breaks - Do They Create Stress?
The American custom of taking break during the working hours. Thus coffee breaks began in the early 20th century.
The Great Bean Mystery - Find the World's Best Coffee
Who doesn't love solving a good mystery? Is the Loch Ness monster real? Who built Stonehenge? Does Big Foot really exist? What is the world's best coffee? While you may need to be an expert to solve the first three, no advanced degree or special knowledge is required to unravel one of the greatest mysteries of the 21st century: What is the world's best coffee?All you need to solve this caffeinated mystery is equip yourself with the right information. And, thanks to the Internet, finding the information for your coffee trekking adventure is as easy as the click of a button.
Coffee is a commodity
At Starbucks they obviously need coffee. To insure that they get the coffee at a good price, Starbucks has chosen to buy the coffee fields, rather than pay an advanced contract price for the coffee beans.
How To Clean A Coffee Maker
Ever wonder how to clean a coffee maker the right way? Drip coffee makers need to be cleaned at least once a month to keep your coffee tasting good.Cleaning your coffee maker takes away hard water deposits, old oils from previously brewed pots and other impurities that can make your coffee taste bad.
3 Simple Tips For Making Perfect Coffee
Want to brew the perfect cup of coffee?Here are 3 simple tips that will make a difference in every single cup you drink.Tip #1Clean Coffee PotA clean pot is essential and can make a world of difference in the taste of your coffee.
La Minita Coffee - It's in the Green Beans
La Minita; Spanish for "The Little Gold Mine" says it all. La Minita is arguably the best coffee in the world and is sipped by the who's who in the specialty coffee industry as well as by those of us who have access to it in our businesses.