Can you drink decaf coffee while pregnant? It’s recommended that pregnant women consume no more than 200 mg of caffeine per day to reduce the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, and growth restriction.
To avoid potential health risks, pregnant women may prefer to cut back on or completely avoid caffeine.
Decaf coffee is a well-liked substitute that can deliver the taste of coffee without the significant caffeine content.
All the information you require regarding decaf coffee and pregnancy is provided in this article, keep reading!
What is Decaf Coffee?
Coffee that has been decaffeinated, also known as decaf, is identical to regular coffee except that 97% of the caffeine has been removed. Caffeine is extracted from the unroasted, green coffee beans at the very beginning by submerging them in liquid.
The Swiss Water Process is most commonly used to make decaf coffee. Without the use of any solvents, this technique, which was developed in 1979, effectively takes the caffeine out of coffee. The majority of the caffeine is released from the coffee beans as they soak in a caffeine-free green coffee extract. Following this, the beans are dried and packaged.
Related Reading: How Is Decaffeinated Coffee Made?
Can You Drink Decaf Coffee While Pregnant?
Decaf coffee is generally safe to consume while pregnant because there is a significant reduction in the amount of caffeine present. However, it’s crucial to consume in moderation. Even though decaffeinated coffee still contains caffeine, you can occasionally enjoy a cup if the urge really strikes you. However, you should always be mindful of your caffeine intake. It’s important to keep in mind that other foods, including chocolate, soft drinks, tea, and energy drinks, also contain small amounts of caffeine. Your caffeine intake will increase if you consume any of these the same day that you drink coffee, causing you to consume more caffeine than you intended to.
How Much Caffeine is in Decaf Coffee?
“Decaf” stands for “decaffeinated” and refers to coffee that has had at least 97% of the caffeine removed from the beans during processing.
A very small amount of caffeine is still present even though the majority has been eliminated.
The caffeine content in a decaf espresso (60 mL) is about 0.6 mg, compared to 2.4 mg in a brewed cup of decaf coffee (240 mL).
Compare this to the amount of caffeine found in other food and drinks:
- Regular espresso: 127 mg per 2-ounce (60 mL) serving
- Regular brewed coffee: 96 mg per 8-ounce (240 mL) serving
- Dark chocolate: 80 mg per 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving
- Energy drinks: 72 mg per 8-ounce (240 mL) serving
- Brewed black tea: 47 mg per 8-ounce (240 mL) serving
- Cola: 33 mg per 12-ounce (355 mL) serving
- Hot chocolate: 7 mg per 8-ounce (240 mL) serving
When compared to other products that contain caffeine, it is obvious that decaf coffee contains very little of it.
It’s crucial to remember that some commercially available decaffeinated coffee might contain higher levels of caffeine. One study discovered, for instance, that a 16-ounce (475 mL) serving of commercial decaf coffee could contain up to 14 mg of caffeine.
Even though these amounts are still negligible, it may be a good idea to double-check the caffeine content of the decaf coffee you buy if you regularly drink it or use other caffeine-containing products.
Also Check: Is Decaffeinated Coffee A Diuretic?
How Much Decaf Coffee Can You Drink During Pregnancy?
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advises pregnant and breastfeeding women to limit their daily caffeine intake to 200 mg. With decaf coffee, you can typically consume less caffeine than is harmful.
You should limit your daily decaf coffee intake to two to three cups. Before drinking, don’t forget to check the decaf coffee’s caffeine content. Due to the fact that it is decaffeinated, avoid drinking too much coffee. The reason is that you might also consume other caffeinated foods and beverages throughout the day, including chocolate, tea, soft drinks, and energy drinks. You may reduce the amount of decaf coffee you drink if you also consume other caffeinated beverages to stay within the recommended daily intake.
Side Effects of Excess Decaf Coffee Consumption During Pregnancy
Due to the high caffeine content of decaf coffee, excessive consumption may cause a number of health issues. The negative effects of consuming too much caffeine are listed below.
- Upset stomach and heartburn
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Increased urine output, resulting in dehydration
- Rapid heart rate and increased blood pressure
The baby’s tissues may become accumulated with caffeine if caffeine crosses the placenta and enters the body. Given that babies lack the enzymes necessary to metabolize caffeine, an excessive amount of caffeine may result in complications like low birth weight, preterm birth, stillbirth, and miscarriage.
Caffeine dependence could develop from drinking too much coffee, even decaf coffee. You might experience withdrawal symptoms if you try to reduce your coffee intake. As a result, cut back on your coffee consumption gradually and pay attention to the following withdrawal symptoms.
- Nausea
- Anxiety and restlessness
- Abdominal pain or diarrhea
- Insomnia
The taste of decaffeinated or “decaf” coffee is identical to that of regular coffee, but it contains less caffeine. While drinking excessive amounts of decaf coffee shouldn’t be done, it is highly unlikely to have any negative effects. To prevent any negative effects on the health of you and your unborn child, check the amount of caffeine in a decaf coffee brand and consume it in moderation.
Read More: Does Decaf Coffee Make You Poop?
FAQs
Even if it is only for a brief period while pregnant, it can be very difficult to say goodbye to coffee because of how much we love it. These are the most frequently asked questions on decaf coffee during pregnancy:
Does Decaf Coffee Affect Pregnancy?
In a typical brewed cup of decaf coffee (240 mL), there are only 2.4 mg of caffeine. Therefore, it’s most likely fine to drink in moderation during pregnancy.
Decaf Coffee Vs. Regular Coffee: Which is Good During Pregnancy?
We’ve already established that consuming caffeine while expecting is not recommended, but if you must have your daily cup of coffee, choosing decaf is the better choice.
Although decaf coffee may not be as energizing as regular coffee because it contains 97% less caffeine, it is best to stick to it during pregnancy.
How Often Can I Drink Decaf Coffee While Pregnant?
You may keep your decaf coffee consumption limited to two to three cups per day.
Can Decaffeinated Coffee Cause Miscarriage?
Having a miscarriage may be more likely if you consume a lot of caffeine. On the other hand, there have also been studies that have demonstrated the exact opposite, asserting that they were unable to find any such link.
Despite this, all research has indicated that extremely high caffeine intake may increase the risk of miscarriage. The type of coffee, brand, decaffeination technique, brewing technique, and personal tolerance for caffeine would all be relevant considerations.
Conclusion
Even decaffeinated drinks still contain trace amounts of caffeine, so avoid drinking decaf coffee and tea while expecting.
You would be better off sticking to completely caffeine-free substitutes, such as some herbal teas that are safe to drink during pregnancy, if you prefer to consume no caffeine at all. Read our post on best decaf coffee if you are considering buying, it will help you to choose from various brands.