Caffeine & Fertility
“But I love coffee?!”
Me too. And it can be a hard habit to break, or a gripping vice to loosen, but could it be worth it?
According to the National Institute of Care and Excellence (who are the governing body that create treatment guidelines and protocols for all medical problems in the UK), there is not enough evidence to say that a high intake of caffeine is detrimental to fertility. This is echoed by a 2020 meta-analysis which found no significant relationship between caffeine and infertility, and a 2017 meta-analysis that found no significant relationship between caffeine intake and time-to-pregnancy.
However, a 2021 study published in the British Medical Journal did note that perhaps healthcare professionals should encourage limiting caffeine consumption when considering pregnancy. But why?
Though the above studies found no notable impact on conception itself, resounding evidence has connected caffeine consumption to spontaneous abortion, or early miscarriage. Bearing in mind that nearly half of pregnancies in the UK are unplanned (although many fall into the category ‘“not trying, but not not trying”), there is a strong likelihood of accidentally high caffeine intake. Therefore, in the time while you are trying (or at least “not not trying” ) it may be sensible to reduce your caffeine intake. Additionally, many of the studies mentioned above were based on couples who were conceiving naturally, not via IVF. While again the data with IVF is limited, many assisted conception clinics will recommend reducing caffeine intake, especially due to the risk of miscarriage.
How much can I have?
Recent studies have disputed how much caffeine is ‘safe’ during pregnancy, however the NHS has taken the stance that pregnant women can have some caffeine, but should limit it to no more than 200mg per day.
Where do we find caffeine:
100mg in a mug of instant coffee
140mg in a mug of filter coffee
80mg in a 250ml can of energy drink
75mg in a mug of tea (including green tea)
40mg in a can of Coke
< 25mg in a 50g bar of plain dark chocolate
In addition to these sources, caffeine can also be hiding in:
Cold & Flu or Paracetamol tablets
Herbal drinks or remedies, like Yerba Mate or Matcha
Protein powders or supplements, especially is coffee flavoured
Pre-workout supplements
So it is worth checking the label if you are conscious of your caffeine intake. And if you are looking for some lower caffeine hot drink alternatives, why not try Redbush tea, Turmeric Latte, Barley Cup? If you’re struggling to cut down, worried about your caffeine intake, or are interested to learn more about nutrition and fertility, contact us via the website or social media.
References:
DOI: 10.1136/bmjebm-2020-111432
DOI: 10.2147/CLEP.S146496