Caffeine is a stimulant, found in different amounts, in coffee, black and green tea, energy drinks, some soft drinks, and in chocolate.
There is no clear proof that caffeine affects the ability to become pregnant, but some studies have found that women who drink large amounts of caffeine may take longer to become pregnant and may have a higher risk of miscarriage. Some experts warn that high caffeine intake can increase the risk of miscarriage and low birth weight.
The facts
The average amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee is 85mg but it can range from 40mg to 175mg depending on the type of coffee beans, and how the coffee is prepared.
Research shows that drinking a lot of coffee, tea and caffeinated soft drinks may increase the time it takes to get pregnant.
It may take longer for women who drink large amounts of caffeine to become pregnant.
Men
High doses of caffeine might affect the quality of sperm but it’s unclear if this affects men’s fertility.
Women
Although experts can’t say exactly how caffeine might affect a woman’s fertility and the health of the baby, they agree that high doses are likely to have some negative effects.
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What you can do
To be on the safe side it is recommended that women limit their daily caffeine intake to 200 mg per day (approximately two cups of coffee) if they are pregnant or trying to conceive.
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References
- Buck Louis, G. M., et al. (2016). Lifestyle and pregnancy loss in a contemporary cohort of women recruited before conception: The LIFE Study. Fertility and Sterility, 106(1), 180-188. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.03.009
- Homan, G. F., Davies, M. J., & Norman, R. J. (2007). The impact of lifestyle factors on reproductive performance in the general population and those undergoing infertility treatment: a review. Human Reproduction Update, 13(3), 209-223.
- James, JE. Maternal caffeine consumption and pregnancy outcomes: a narrative review with implications for advice to mothers and mothers-to-be. BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine 2020: bmjebm-2020-111432.
- Lassi, Z., et al. (2014). Preconception care: caffeine, smoking, alcohol, drugs and other environmental chemical/radiation exposure. Reproductive Health, 11(Suppl 3), S6
- Lyngso J, Ramlau-Hansen CH, Bay B, Ingerslev HJ, Hulman A, Kesmodel US. Association between coffee or caffeine consumption and fecundity and fertility: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. Clin Epidemiol. 2017;9:699-719
- Mínguez-Alarcón, et al. (2018). Caffeine, alcohol, smoking, and reproductive outcomes among couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatments. Fertility and Sterility, 110(4), 587-592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.05.026
- Ricci E, Vigano P, Cipriani S, Somigliana E, Chiaffarino F, Bulfoni A, et al. Coffee and caffeine intake and male infertility: a systematic review. Nutr J. 2017;16(1):37
- Sharma, R., et al. (2013). Lifestyle factors and reproductive health: taking control of your fertility. [Review]. Reprod Biol Endocrinol, 11(66), 1477-7827.
Page created on: 29/08/2018 | Last updated: 28/04/2024
