New Study Finds Drinking Coffee During Pregnancy May Reduce Risk of Atopy in Babies

Jakarta – Drinking coffee during pregnancy may provide certain benefits. A recent study found that consuming coffee while pregnant may reduce the risk of atopy in babies.

According to a study led by Kim Yu Jun from the Department of Environmental Medicine at Ewha Womans University, babies born to mothers who drank coffee during pregnancy had an 11 percent lower risk of developing atopy compared to babies whose mothers did not drink coffee at all. The pregnant women in the study consumed less than one cup of coffee per day.

The study, published in the journal Healthcare Informatics Research, tracked 3,252 mother–child pairs recruited between 2015 and 2019 in South Korea. Researchers divided the participants into three groups:

• 1,809 mothers who did not drink coffee

• 1,225 mothers who drank less than one cup per day

• 188 mothers who drank one cup or more per day

The researchers then examined how coffee consumption affected the development of atopy in children.

Specifically, babies born to mothers who drank one cup or more of coffee per day during pregnancy had a 9 percent lower chance of developing atopy compared to babies whose mothers did not drink coffee. However, the relationship was not statistically significant.

Atopy is associated with a group of allergic reactions. Researchers suspect that bioactive compounds in coffee may influence the development of the immune system. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of coffee may also affect fetal immune development.

“This is the first birth cohort analysis in South Korea showing that moderate coffee consumption during pregnancy may be associated with a reduced risk of childhood atopy,” the research team stated, as reported by The Korea Herald.

However, the researchers emphasized that further studies are needed to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship.

Recommended Coffee Intake During Pregnancy

Drinking coffee during pregnancy can still be safe when consumed in moderation.

According to American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), pregnant women should not consume more than 200 mg of caffeine per day.

Meanwhile, World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a limit of no more than 300 mg of caffeine per day.

WHO explains that caffeine metabolism slows significantly during pregnancy, meaning excessive caffeine intake could negatively affect fetal health and increase the risk of complications.

Some observational studies suggest that high caffeine intake may be linked to:

• Fetal growth restriction

• Low birth weight

• Premature birth

• Stillbirth

Additionally, some pregnant women may experience side effects after drinking coffee, such as difficulty sleeping.

Caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain, preventing the feeling of sleepiness. Adenosine is a chemical that accumulates in the brain during waking hours and signals the body to sleep. When caffeine blocks this process, it can make it harder to fall asleep.

Sleep problems during pregnancy can cause fatigue, headaches, and nausea, which may ultimately affect fetal development.