Coffee During Pregnancy

Caffeine & its effects on the body

Caffeine is a natural stimulant that directly affects our central nervous system. After consuming a cup of coffee, the caffeine is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, where it exerts its typical effects:

• accelerated heartbeat
• slightly elevated blood pressure
• increased concentration and alertness
• delayed fatigue

Many appreciate the invigorating effect of a cup of coffee in the morning or as an energy boost in the afternoon. With an average of 163 liters of coffee consumed in 2024, Germans are true coffee lovers. What pregnant women should be aware of, however, is that their caffeine metabolism works significantly differently from that of non-pregnant women. The half-life of caffeine doubles or triples during pregnancy, which is why it stays in the mother’s bloodstream significantly longer.

Consumption of caffeine during pregnancy

The hormonal changes in a pregnant woman’s body have far-reaching effects. During pregnancy, the way the body responds to caffeine changes fundamentally. 

Slower degradation, stronger effect

During pregnancy, the mother’s body metabolizes caffeine much more slowly than usual. Especially in late pregnancy, the breakdown of caffeine in the pregnant woman’s liver slows considerably. The result: The caffeine stays in the bloodstream longer, has a more intense effect on the expectant mother’s body, and also reaches the unborn child in higher concentrations. 

What’s particularly relevant is that caffeine easily crosses the placental barrier and thus reaches the child directly. The caffeine concentration in the fetus’s blood plasma is just as high as in the mother’s, and the effects are comparable. However, the small organism cannot effectively break down the substance because its liver is not yet fully developed, and its body is therefore unable to metabolize it. This means that even if the mother no longer feels the stimulating effects, her child may still be under the influence of the coffee.

Contradictory studies and official recommendations

The scientific data on coffee consumption during pregnancy is ambiguous. On the one hand, a study conducted by the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes from 2009 to 2019 shows that children of mothers who consumed only 50 milligrams of caffeine daily were about 1.50 centimeters shorter at age 7 than children of mothers who did not consume caffeine. These study results could indicate that even small amounts of coffee during pregnancy can affect birth weight and later height. Various observational studies have found a 36 percent increase in miscarriages depending on the caffeine dose.

On the other hand, studies have shown contrary results. A cohort study by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) found no harmful effects from moderate coffee consumption during the second trimester of pregnancy—in fact, the opposite: In women with a daily intake of up to 100 milligrams of caffeine, the risk of gestational diabetes was reduced by up to 47 percent.

Despite these contradictory findings, health organizations have agreed on a recommendation: The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the German Nutrition Society (DGE) consider a caffeine intake of up to 200 mg per day from all sources, spread throughout the day, to be acceptable – this corresponds to about two cups of filter coffee. 

“It is important to also include other caffeinated beverages such as tea, cola, or matcha and to stay below the recommended daily amount of 200 milligrams,” says midwife Evi Bodman. 

Overview of caffeinated foods and beverages

In addition to coffee, caffeine is found in numerous other beverages and foods that should be considered in your diet during pregnancy. The caffeine concentration varies depending on the manufacturing process, the type of coffee beans or tea leaves used, and the preparation method. 

High caffeine content:

• Cup of coffee (filter coffee 200 ml): about 90 mg
• Espresso (60 ml): about 80 mg
• Energy drinks (250 ml): approximately 80 mg
• Black tea (200 ml): approximately 45 mg
• Mate tea (250 ml): 50 – 100 mg 
• Matcha (1 – 2 g): 30 – 70 mg (may vary greatly)

Medium to low caffeine content:

• Cola drinks (330 ml) approximately 35 mg
• Cocoa (200 ml): 8 to 35 mg
• Green tea (200 ml): about 30 mg
• Dark chocolate (50 g): approximately 25 mg
• Ceremonial raw cacao (30 – 50 g): 30 – 100 mg stimulants (caffeine & theobromine)
• decaffeinated coffee (150 ml): about 3 mg

Often overlooked caffeinated foods:

• Coffee-based desserts such as tiramisu
• Coffee-flavored ice cream
• some painkillers and cold remedies

Pay attention to the total amount from all sources. Suitable alternatives to caffeinated coffee include decaffeinated coffee, grain coffee, or strong herbal teas like rooibos. You should avoid energy drinks completely during pregnancy for the sake of your child.