Maternal caffeine consumption has nothing to do with children's behavior, according to a new study.
A team of investigators from Netherlands, who initiated to study the risks behind fetal exposure to caffeine in the uterus and its negative impact on children's behavior, found no risks associated with women taking caffeine containing products during pregnancy.
Eva M. Loomans and colleagues included 8,202 pregnant women for the study. The level of caffeine intake, coffee, caffeinated tea and cola- was measured at 16th week of gestation. Five to six years after the birth, teachers and mothers filled a questionnaire related to the children's behavior (emotional, hyperactivity/inattention, peer relationship problems and pro-social behavior).
But, the researchers couldn't find the maternal caffeine consumption leading to any behavioral problems for children.
"This study has provided insight into what extent caffeine consumption during pregnancy contributes to the development of problem behavior. Our results did not provide evidence to advise pregnant women to reduce their caffeine intake to prevent problem behavior in their children," the authors said, in a statement.
To have a smooth and trouble free pregnancy, pregnant women are always advised to keep coffee or caffeine consumption to moderate levels. Apart from coffee, some other drinks, including chocolate chips contains caffeine. Experts recommend only 300 mg caffeine intake- four 8-ounce cup of tea or five 12 ounce cup of soda- for pregnant and breast-feeding mothers.
Efforts have been going on from a long time to underline the negative impact of high level of caffeine intake during pregnancy on both the mother and child.
Though earlier studies have eliminated maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy leading to sleep issues among babies, but last week a team of Danish investigators found too much of coffee - five or more cups a day- " comparable to the detrimental effect of smoking" bringing down the chances of a successful in vitro fertilization treatment.
Another study published in the British Medical Journal says caffeine consumption during pregnancy increasing the risk of fetal growth restriction and recommends reducing caffeine intake before conception and throughout pregnancy. Researchers also havefound higher Caffeine intake during pregnancy elevating systolic blood pressure levels in first and third trimester.
The following are a list of foods highest in caffeine, according to the website Self Nutrition Data:
Coffee, brewed, espresso, restaurant-prepared Caffeine: 21202mg
Coffee, brewed from grounds, prepared with tap waterCaffeine: 7999mg
Tea, brewed, prepared with distilled water [black tea] Caffeine: 4000mg
Tea, brewed, prepared with tap water [black tea] Caffeine: 4000mg
Carbonated beverage, low calorie, other than cola or pepper, with aspartame, contains caffeine [pop, soda, soft drink] Caffeine: 3000mg
Coffee, instant, regular, powderCaffeine: 2608mg
Coffee, instant, regular, prepared with water Caffeine: 2600mg
Tea, instant, unsweetened, powder Caffeine: 2336mg
Carbonated beverage, low calorie, cola or pepper-types, with sodium saccharin, contains caffeine [pop, soda, soft drink] Caffeine: 2200mg
Tea, instant, unsweetened, powder, prepared Caffeine: 2200mg
Tea, ready-to-drink, unsweetened, WENDY'S, fast food, without ice
Caffeine: 1600mg
Coffee, instant, with chicory, prepared with water Caffeine: 1400mg
Tea, instant, sweetened with sodium saccharin, lemon-flavored, powder Caffeine: 1325mg
Carbonated beverage, low calorie, cola or pepper-type, with aspartame, contains caffeine [pop, soda, soft drink] Caffeine: 1200mg
Energy drink, RED BULL, sugar free, with added caffeine, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamins B6 and B12 Caffeine: 1200mg
Tea, instant, unsweetened, lemon-flavored, powder Caffeine: 1198mg
Coffee, instant, with chicory, powder Caffeine: 1176mg
Tea, instant, sweetened with sodium saccharin, lemon-flavored, prepared Caffeine: 1100mg
Coffee, instant, regular, powder, half the caffeine Caffeine: 898mg
Coffee and cocoa (mocha) powder, with whitener and low calorie sweetener Caffeine: 370mg
Candies, dark chocolate coated coffee beans Caffeine: 311mg
Candies, milk chocolate coated coffee beans Caffeine: 291mg
Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened Caffeine: 202mg
Coffee, brewed from grounds, prepared with tap water, decaffeinated Caffeine: 200mg
Coffee, brewed, espresso, restaurant-prepared, decaffeinated
Caffeine: 200mg
Tea, brewed, prepared with tap water, decaffeinated [black tea]
Caffeine: 200mg
Coffee, instant, with sugar, mocha-flavor, powder Caffeine: 157mg
Coffee, instant, with sugar, cappuccino-flavor powder Caffeine: 149mg
Energy drink, RED BULL, with added caffeine, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamins B6 and B12 Caffeine: 133mg
Cocoa, dry powder, hi-fat or breakfast, plain Caffeine: 132mg
Carbonated beverage, cola, with higher caffeine [pop, soda, soft drink]Caffeine: 132mg
Coffee, instant, decaffeinated, powder Caffeine: 109mg
Tea, instant, unsweetened, powder, decaffeinated Caffeine: 107mg Coffee, instant, with sugar, french-flavor, and powder Caffeine: 102mg
Coffee, instant, decaffeinated, powder, prepared with water Caffeine: 100mg
Carbonated beverage, reduced sugar, cola, contains caffeine and sweeteners Caffeine: 90mg
Carbonated beverage, lemon-lime soda, contains caffeine [pop, soft drink, white soda] Caffeine: 73mg
Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened, processed with alkali [Dutch cocoa] Caffeine: 71mg
Tea, instant, sweetened with sugar, lemon-flavored, with added ascorbic acid, powder Caffeine: 64mg
Cocoa, dry powder, hi-fat or breakfast, processed with alkali
Caffeine: 49mg
Carbonated beverage, pepper-type, contains caffeine [pop, soda, soft drink] Caffeine: 49mg
Carbonated beverage, cola, contains caffeine [pop, soda, soft drink]
Caffeine: 43mg
Tea, instant, sweetened with sodium saccharin, lemon-flavored, powder, decaffeinated Caffeine: 34mg
Baking chocolate, unsweetened, squares Caffeine: 32mg
Candies, chocolate, dark, 60-69% cacao solids
Caffeine: 30mg
Beverage, instant breakfast powder, chocolate, sugar-free, not reconstituted Caffeine: 29mg
Candies, chocolate, dark, 70-85% cacao solids Caffeine: 27mg Candies, sweet chocolate Caffeine: 26mg
Candies, semisweet chocolate, made with butter Caffeine: 26mg
Candies, semisweet chocolate Caffeine: 26mg
