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Pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake to the equivalent of four cups of instant coffee a day.
Consuming more caffeine than this -- about 300 milligrams (mg) per day -- could increase their risk of having a miscarriage or a low birth weight baby.
To help women keep track of their intake here are caffeine intakes for individual items:
- Average cup of instant coffee - 75 mg
- Average mug of coffee - 100 mg
- Average cup of brewed coffee - 100 mg
- Average cup of tea - 50 mg
- Regular cola drink - up to 40 mg
- Regular energy drink - up to 80 mg
- Normal bar of chocolate - up to 50 mg
The new advice is based on a review of scientific literature by the UK Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment, a group of independent experts.
Reuters London, October 10, 2001
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