Coffee Information

Caffeine & Low Birth Weight Babies


These studies begin to point the way to the more permanent damage 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 in Yugoslavia showed that, among nonsmoking mothers, a "significant reduction" in birth weight was observed in babies whose mothers drank 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 was 133 mg per day, or nearly double that at which low-birth weight incidences 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 time it 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:

Coffee regulator seeks new legal method to register 'Blue Mountain'
Jamaica Observer, Jamaica - 10 hours ago
Coffee regulator, the Coffee Industry Board (CIB), wants to register Blue Mountain under a new legal method linking it to Jamaica's geography having mostly ...


24dash

If I wanted a cup of coffee, I'd go to a cafe, not a library
guardian.co.uk, UK - 17 hours ago
To paraphrase an old Airplane joke: 'Oh my God, there's something wrong with the library!' 'What is it?' 'It's a big building with books in it. ...
'Sombre' libraries need chatter and coffee shops, minister says Independent
Starbucks should open coffee shops in libraries say ministers Mirror.co.uk
'Coffee shop' culture to be encouraged in libraries - Government ... 24dash
Daily Mail - Telegraph.co.uk
all 19 news articles


Cleveland Hts.: Phoenix Coffee hosts pumpkin carving parties
The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com, OH - 46 minutes ago
Heights Arts and Phoenix Coffee are hosting pumpkin carving parties from 4-8 pm Oct. 27 at three Phoenix Coffee locations: 2287 Lee Road in Cleveland ...


Want coffee -- with benefits? Here's what you'll get
Los Angeles Times, CA - Oct 11, 2008
We’re a nation of spoiled coffee drinkers. Whereas our forebears boiled old grounds over camp stoves and our parents percolated Folgers, we’re driving five ...


Coffee farmers protest at Ruto’s appointment
Standard, Kenya - 22 hours ago
By Elizabeth Mwai and Joseph Murimi About 200 coffee farmers have petitioned Prime Minister Raila Odinga to revoke the appointment of Coffee Board members. ...


Man Arrested for Coffee Stand Robbery
KTVL, OR - 17 hours ago
A San Diego man is in Jackson County lockup Saturday in connection with Friday's robbery of a Dutch Brothers coffee stand. Phoenix police officers spotted a ...
Robber maces barista Mail Tribune
Arrest made in coffee stand robbery Mail Tribune
Man Robs Dutch Bros, Maces Employee KTVL
all 6 news articles


Coffee Bean opens new Portland facility
Washington Business Journal, DC - 19 hours ago
Coffee Bean International has opened its new 125000-foot coffee roasting and office facility in Portland. The company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Torrance ...


All-in-one coffee shop named Bogser's
Sun.Star, Philippines - 1 hour ago
By Grace L. Plata IMAGINE a white house with a comfy living room, a coffee shop with the crew at your beck and call, a wi-fi connection and piped in jazz ...


Victory for vendor in coffee war
Scotsman, United Kingdom - Oct 11, 2008
A STREET trader who sparked a coffee war on Lauriston Place with a replica police box hut can continue trading – providing he removes his kiosk overnight. ...


Ironman competition selects Kona as official coffee
Honolulu Advertiser, HI - Oct 10, 2008
By KARIN STANTON For AP KAILUA-KONA, Hawai'i — The Ironman World Championship has made 100 percent Kona coffee an official brew, hoping to make up for an ...
Xtri Chats with Ironman Organic Coffee Founder, Chris McCrary Xtri.com
US Navy Athletes Complete 2008 Ford Ironman World Championship ... MarketWatch
Triathlete has come long way since shaky debut San Diego Union Tribune
International Herald Tribune - KITV.com
all 20 news articles

Coffee - Google News

home | site map
© 2006