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Caffeine intake may be related to early miscarriages, according to a team of Swedish and US researchers.
- Researchers compared 562 women who had had early miscarriages (between 6 and 12 weeks of pregnancy) to a "control" group of 953 women who were also pregnant but did not have miscarriages
- Study participants were asked during interviews about their caffeine intake from sources such as coffee, tea, chocolate, and medications
- Among nonsmoking women, more miscarriages occurred in those who drank 100 milligrams of caffeine or more per day than in those who ingested less
- A high daily intake of caffeine (500 milligrams or more) was associated with a doubled risk of miscarriage in nonsmokers
"Of all caffeine ingested, coffee accounted for 76%, tea for 23% and other sources for 1%," the report indicates.
The researchers do note that other components of the caffeine containing sources, such as coffee, that may be related to miscarriage, independent of any caffeine effect.
The researchers conclude, "reducing caffeine intake during early pregnancy may be prudent."
The New England Journal of Medicine, December 21, 2000;343:1839-1845
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