Caffeine wakes us up in the morning and keeps us going when we hit the 3 p.m. slump. Many of us are addicted and can’t get through the day without our daily dose.
Did you know that your chances of getting pregnant decrease when you drink caffeine? One study found that women who consumed more than the equivalent of one cup of coffee per day were half as likely to become pregnant, per cycle, as women who drank less. Another study found that high doses of caffeine intake during pregnancy increased the risk of miscarriage. As well, caffeine delays the transit of the fertilized egg from the tube to the uterus. Fibrocystic breast disease, PMS, osteoporosis, infertility problems, miscarriage, low birth weight and menopausal problems such as hot flashes are all exacerbated by caffeine consumption.
Caffeine is in more than just coffee. It is in energy drinks and colas. Non-cola drinks such as root beer and orange soda have caffeine too. Sunkist orange soda has 41 milligrams of caffeine; that’s more than Coke’s 35 milligrams. Thought you were getting your healthy vitamin C? Think again.
The Nurses’ Health Study (Harvard University conducted an eight-year study of more than 18,000 female nurses) found that caffeinated soft drinks were associated with a higher risk of ovulatory infertility among women consuming at least two or more caffeinated soft drinks per day. Women consuming two or more caffeinated soft drinks per day had a 47% greater risk of ovulatory infertility than women who consumed less than one caffeinated soft drink per week. To be clear, the sugar may be to blame for the infertility rather than the caffeine, as the high sugar content in soft drinks spikes insulin levels and can lead to weight gain. The key is to be aware of how much caffeine you are consuming on a daily basis. Sometimes it’s more than we think and in the form of chocolate.
Do you crave a little bit of chocolate? Go ahead and make the switch to dark chocolate, but be aware there is still caffeine present. A 1.5-ounce serving of 80% cacao dark chocolate can contain more than 40 milligrams of caffeine, with some more expensive brands having up to 75 milligrams.
Don’t get me wrong. There are some health benefits to caffeine consumption such as increased alertness, improved mood, more energy, better concentration and preventing disease such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s. However, to boost your fertility and get your body ready to conceive, it’s time to select another drink of choice.
The key is not to quit cold turkey. This is not recommended! Go slowly. Caffeine withdrawal causes headaches, body aches, stomach problems, irritability, depression and fatigue. Here is your plan to quit coffee.
Your Plan to Quit Coffee
Days 1–4
Drink 50% decaf with 50% regular coffee.
Before your coffee, consume one glass of water with lemon.
Drink one glass of water before every coffee that you drink.
Days 5–9
• Drink 75% decaf and 25% regular coffee.
• Continue to drink one glass of water with lemon before every coffee you drink
Day 10
• Drink 100% decaf, or you may switch to caffeine-free herbal tea or water.
Go slowly and be kind to yourself as you gradually reduce your caffeine intake.
Book your free Supercharge Your Fertility Discovery call. We’ll come up with a simple plan to help you move forward…towards your dream of having your baby.
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