Abstract
BackgroundSeveral studies have reported the adverse effects of caffeine intake during pregnancy on fetal health. However, the effects of caffeine intake from green and oolong teas has not been investigated, despite the considerable consumption of these teas in Japan and the potential inhibitory effects of catechins—chemicals present at relatively high levels in green and oolong teas—on folic acid absorption. The potential associations of serum folate levels with caffeinated beverage consumption and catechin levels remain largely unstudied. The present study aimed to determine these associations in pregnant Japanese women.MethodsPregnant women (n = 2,701) not receiving folate supplementation were enrolled at the Chiba Unit Center, a regional site of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS). Serum folate levels were measured using an Access folate assay kit, and nutrient and caffeine intakes were assessed using a self-administered food frequency questionnaire that was previously evaluated in Japanese populations.ResultsThe low and normal serum folate groups reported caffeine intakes of 42.3 mg/1,000 kcal and 34.4 mg/1,000 kcal, respectively, and tannin intakes of 40.8 mg/1,000 kcal and 36.3 mg/1,000 kcal, respectively. Multiple regression analyses revealed negative associations of serum folate levels with caffeine and tannin intakes and a positive association between serum folate levels and dietary folate intake.ConclusionsConsidering the negative associations of caffeine and tannin levels with serum folate levels, pregnant women should consume caffeinated beverages, such as coffee and green/oolong teas, with caution.
Highlights
Humans cannot synthesize folate, an essential water-soluble vitamin involved in DNA synthesis and cell differentiation
Subjects and definitions This research used the first-year fixed dataset of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS), which was initiated by the Ministry of the Environment in Japan as a nationwide birth cohort to investigate the associations of environmental factors with aspects of children’s health and development.[26,27]
The median caffeine intakes from coffee, black tea, and green=oolong tea were 9.1 (IQR, 0–34.7) mg=1,000 kcal, 3.8 (IQR, 0–10.7) mg=1,000 kcal, and 9.2 (IQR, 0–22.3) mg= 1,000 kcal, respectively; corresponding tannin intakes were 3.8 (IQR, 0–14.5) mg=1,000 kcal, 1.3 (IQR, 0–3.6) mg=1,000 kcal, and 22.9 (IQR, 0–55.9) mg=1,000 kcal, respectively
Summary
An essential water-soluble vitamin involved in DNA synthesis and cell differentiation. The insufficient consumption of foods containing B vitamins, such as folate, can make it difficult to maintain adequate levels. Dietary intake is the primary source of folate, the traditional Japanese dietary pattern has become Westernized in recent years, leading to annual decreases in vegetable consumption.[7] Second, folate is excreted from the body, so folate levels are not maintained in vivo over long periods. The effects of caffeine intake from green and oolong teas has not been investigated, despite the considerable consumption of these teas in Japan and the potential inhibitory effects of catechins—chemicals present at relatively high levels in green and oolong teas—on folic acid absorption. The potential associations of serum folate levels with caffeinated beverage consumption and catechin levels remain largely unstudied. The present study aimed to determine these associations in pregnant Japanese women
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