Coffee and Women’s Health

For years, there has been much concern over the relationship between coffee, caffeine, and women’s health. A number of aspects have been considered, including reproductive health, osteoporosis, and breast disease. Let’s look at the findings.

Many researchers have questioned whether coffee drinking is safe for pregnant women. Today, most physicians and researchers agree that it is. Daily consumption of two to three cups of brewed coffee a day appears to have no adverse reproductive consequences. It has been suggested, however, that women who wish to be cautions should limit their coffee consumption to two cups per day.

Can coffee delay or decrease fertility in women who are planning to become pregnant ? Again, studies indicate that coffee has no adverse effects on the reproductive process. Therefore, women who wish to become pregnant need not eliminate coffee or other sources of caffeine from their diet-although moderation is always wise.

Many researchers have investigated the possible effects of coffee drinking on osteoporosis, a disease that can lead to weak and brittle bones. Fortunately, a number of well-controlled studied have concluded that moderate amounts of researchers emphasize the importance of women building adequate bone mass during their teenage years.

At one time, you may have read about an early study of women with fibrocystic breast disease (FBD), a condition characterized by multiple cysts that can be felt throughout the breast. That study concluded that caffeine adds to the risk of developing FBD. However, later studied, including a study of 3,400 women conducted by the National Cancer Institute, found no association between caffeine intake and FBD. Like all other research investigating the relationship between coffee drinking and women’s health, this study found that women can enjoy coffee without compromising their well-being.

Ref. Antol, Marie Nadine. 2002, Confessions of a Coffee Bean. United States of America.