Coffee Drinking: Grounds for Concern?
For many of us, a steaming cup of coffee is a soothing morning ritual that lifts the brain fog and gets the day off to a great start. Yet, because of a swirl of conflicting reports about the effects of caffeine on health, many of us fear our java may be a guilty pleasure.
Cristin Babcock, M.D., a Women’s Care obstetrician and gynecologist, recently reviewed medical studies on the issue of caffeine as it relates to women’s health. Her review produced heartening news for lovers of coffee, cola, chocolate and tea. Here’s the most recent information on caffeine consumption and the following health issues:
"The bottom line to all of these studies," says Dr. Babcock, "is that those who consume moderate amounts of caffeine don’t have to be concerned about health risks."
Cristin Babcock, M.D., a Women’s Care obstetrician and gynecologist, recently reviewed medical studies on the issue of caffeine as it relates to women’s health. Her review produced heartening news for lovers of coffee, cola, chocolate and tea. Here’s the most recent information on caffeine consumption and the following health issues:
- Fertility. Large, well-designed studies have shown that there’s no correlation between consumption of caffeinated beverages and the length of time required to conceive.
- Miscarriage. A recent study separated out the risks of smoking, alcohol and caffeine consumption on miscarriage and concluded that small to moderate amounts of caffeine don’t increase the risk of miscarriage, but large amounts do. Pregnant women should consume less than 100 mg of caffeine daily to err on the side of caution. For coffee drinkers, that translates to about one small cup a day.
- Birth defects and low birth weight. A review of more than 20 studies done over the past two decades found no link between moderate caffeine consumption and adverse outcomes of later pregnancy.
- Breastfeeding. A review by The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs has found no adverse effects on breastfeeding from caffeine intake. As with all foods, pregnant and lactating women should exercise moderation with caffeine.
- Fibrocystic breast changes. A 1986 study by the National Cancer Institute showed no association between caffeine intake and breast tenderness or benign fibrous lumps. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some women notice a lessening of breast tenderness when they cut back on caffeine.
- Osteoporosis. Dr. Babcock notes that because caffeine inhibits the body’s absorption of calcium, calcium supplements are a good idea for women who consume caffeine. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or post-menopausal and not on hormones should get 1500 mg of calcium daily. Pre-menopausal women who aren’t pregnant or breastfeeding, and postmenopausal women on hormones should get 1000 mg of calcium daily. Because the typical diet provides about 400 mg of calcium, most women who drink moderate amounts of caffeine—two to three cups a day—can get by with 1000 mg of calcium supplements daily. Incidentally, Dr. Babcock notes that carbonated beverages contain phosphorous, which also impedes absorption of calcium.
- Heart disease and high blood pressure. No link between caffeine intake and heart disease, high blood pressure or irregular heartbeat has been shown.
- Physiological effects. Caffeine can be a mild stimulant to the central nervous system. Regular coffee drinkers who kick the habit abruptly may experience headaches, drowsiness or fatigue. This ‘withdrawal phenomenon’ actually classifies caffeine as an addictive drug. Withdrawal effects usually last a few days, and can often be avoided if coffee drinkers slowly wean themselves off the caffeine.
"The bottom line to all of these studies," says Dr. Babcock, "is that those who consume moderate amounts of caffeine don’t have to be concerned about health risks."
