Caffeine Overdose and Pregnancy

Many pregnant women are concerned about food and drinks during pregnancy. Perhaps one of the most worrisome ingredients is "caffeine". Caffeine is contained in familiar foods such as green tea, coffee, and chocolate, but you are wondering how much you can take. Here are some reasons why you shouldn't overdose caffeine during pregnancy and what foods and drinks you should be aware of.Effects of caffeine intake during pregnancyThere are two main reasons why pregnant women are restricted from caffeine intake. This is because there is a possibility of miscarriage and the baby may be stunted.Possibility of miscarriagePregnant women with a daily intake of less than 150 mg and pregnant women with a daily intake of 300 mg or more are said to have twice the chance of miscarriage. In addition, there are reports that drinking eight or more cups of coffee a day increases the risk of stillbirth, so it seems better to refrain from excessive intake of caffeine.Possibility of stuntingIt has been pointed out that ingestion of caffeine may reduce the blood flow velocity in the placenta, which may lead to stunting of the baby. As a result, they are born as low birth weight infants and may affect their future development and health.What is the difference between caffeine intake during pregnancy and before pregnancy?The blood concentration after ingesting caffeine usually drops to about half in 4 to 5 hours, but it takes about 12 to 18 hours during pregnancy. The fact that it takes about three times as long as when you are not pregnant means that it will affect your baby in no small measure. In addition, caffeine is highly water-soluble and easily passes through the placenta, so it reaches the baby 30 minutes to 1 hour after it is ingested by the mother.What is the upper limit for caffeine intake during pregnancy?The World Health Organization (WHO) limits the daily intake of caffeine for pregnant women to 200 mg to 300 mg. When converted to coffee, it is 3 to 4 cups. For those who drink coffee on a daily basis before pregnancy, it is a good idea to set rules such as drinking only one cup after meals.Drinks and foods to watch out for:Caffeine isn't just found in coffee. Here are some representative drinks and foods that you should be aware of besides coffee.DrinksMany people have a strong image of caffeine = coffee, but it is also included in tea and even coke. Keep in mind that it's not okay because you keep 3-4 cups of coffee a day.Coffee (150ml): 80-120mgBlack tea (150 ml): 60-80 mgCocoa (150 ml): 20 mgCoke (340 ml): 60 mgFoodChocolate is a typical food that contains caffeine. There are different types of chocolate, and the caffeine content is also different.Milk chocolate (25g): 7mg70% cacao high cacao chocolate (25g): 21mgAll of them have a lower content than beverages such as coffee and tea, but caution is required.If possible, use a caffeine-less product insteadCaffeine increases the risk of miscarriage and stunted babies, but it doesn't mean that you shouldn't take too much. Caffeine has wakefulness and excitatory effects. For some people, it can be too effective and interfere with sleep, so if possible, substitute decaffeination or decaf for your pregnancy.