For many of us, cutting out a cup of morning coffee or tea could be too much. So, we would want to know whether there is any real connection between caffeine and fertility. Well, I am sorry to tell you that whether or not caffeine contributes to infertility or lowers ability to get pregnant is unclear. However, caffeine seems to produce adverse effects such as anxiety, insomnia, rapid heart beat and restlessness. Having said that the results are mixed, in 1993, the American Journal of Epidemiology actually reported that caffeine intake can adversely affect female fertility. The researchers reported that the caffeine consumption of over 300mg/day (or about 3 cups) can lower chances of getting pregnant by 27% per reproductive cycle. However, less than 300mg/gay caffeine intake could reduce the chance by 10%. The same article reporting the effect of caffeine intake on fertility also suggests some general guidelines regarding caffeine in food and beverage as followed. (Data from Better Nutrition for Today’s Living)

Roasted coffee = between 76 and 155 mg per cup

Instant coffee = 66 mg per cup

Decaffeinated coffee = 2 to 5 mg per cup

Tea = 20 to 100 mg per cup

Instant tea = 24 to 131 mg per cup

Hot cocoa = 5 mg per cup

Soft drinks = 26 to 34 mg per 12-oz can

Milk chocolate candy = 12 mg per 2 oz

Sweet or dark chocolate = 40 mg per 2 oz

Baking chocolate = 70 mg per 2 oz

Alertness tablets = 100 to 200 mg per tablet.

Well, as the effect of caffeine varies from person to person and no clear evidence confirms that caffeine intakes is safe when trying to get pregnant, cutting down caffeine may be a good idea