Caffeine

New York, Pregnant women who consumed caffeine as little as half a cup of coffee a day on an average had slightly smaller babies than pregnant women who did not consume caffeinated beverages, a new study revealed. The study found corresponding reductions in size and lean body mass for infants whose mothers consumed below the 200 milligrams of caffeine per day -- about two cups of coffee -- believed to increase risks to the fetus. Smaller birth size can place infants at higher risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes later in life. "Until we learn more, our results suggest it might be prudent to limit or forego caffeine-containing beverages during pregnancy," said researcher Katherine L. Grantz from the NIH's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. For the study, published in the JAMA Network Open,A the team analyzed data on more than 2,000 racially and ethnically diverse women at 12 clinical sites who were enrolled from 8 to 13 weeks of pregnancy. From weeks 10 to 13 of pregnancy, the women provided a blood sample that was later analyzed for caffeine and paraxanthine, a compound produced when caffeine is broken down in the body. Compared to infants born to women with no or minimal blood levels of caffeine, infants born to women who had the highest blood levels of caffeine at enrollment were an average of 84 grams lighter at birth (about three ounces), were 0.44 centimeters shorter (about .17 inches), and had head circumferences 0.28 centimeters smaller (about 0.11 inches). Based on the women's own estimates of the beverages they drank, women who consumed about 50 milligrams of caffeine a day (equivalent to a half cup of coffee) had infants 66 grams (about 2.3 ounces) lighter than infants born to non-caffeine consumers. Similarly, infants born to the caffeine consumers also had thigh circumferences 0.32 centimeters smaller (about 0.13 inches). The researchers noted that caffeine is believed to cause blood vessels in the uterus and placenta to constrict, which could reduce the blood supply to the fetus and inhibit growth. Similarly, researchers believe caffeine could potentially disrupt fetal stress hormones, putting infants at risk for rapid weight gain after birth and for later life obesity, heart disease and diabetes. (agency)

In Ayurveda insomnia is acknowledged by the name of ‘anidra’.  It implies that insomnia can be relieved by balancing intensified body energies. The route it follows? By following suitable lifestyle choices, a customized diet, and taking medicines recommended by an Ayurvedic doctor. Besides that, relaxation of the mind is also a crucial part of the treatment. Here are 7 home remedies for Insomnia. 1.Reduce Screen Time Shut all screens two hours before you go to bed. The blue light emanating from screens affects the production of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin. 2.Relax with Yoga and Meditation Yoga, breathing exercises, and meditation are excellent ways to relax the mind and allow it to sleep. Know how meditation can help deal with insomnia. 3.Have This Concoction Boil 3 grams of fresh mint leaves or 1.5 grams of dried powder of mint leaves in 1 cup of water for 15-20 minutes. Take lukewarm with 1 teaspoon of honey at bedtime. 4.Sip Warm Milk Before Bed Milk stimulates the production of melatonin, the sleep-inducing hormone. 5.Tap the Power of Ayurvedic Therapies Ayurvedic therapies like Shirodhara help relax the mind and quell disorders like insomnia. Consult an Ayurvedic doctor to know which therapies are best suited for your system. 6.Sport or Workout Practice a sport or workout for at least 30 minutes daily to tire your body and channelize the energy. Know how yoga can help you deal with insomnia. 7.Cut Caffeine If you are suffering from extreme insomnia, stop consumption of all caffeine drinks, coffee, tea, and aerated drinks. If you are suffering from mild insomnia, then do not drink them after dusk.

London, Aug 25 (IANS) Women who are pregnant or trying to conceive should be advised to avoid caffeine because evidence suggests that maternal caffeine consumption is linked to negative pregnancy outcomes, say researchers.The study, published in the journal BMJ Evidence Based Medicine, undertook a review of current evidence on caffeine-related pregnancy outcomes, to determine whether the recommended safe level of consumption for pregnant women is soundly based. Pregnant women have been advised that consuming a small amount of caffeine daily will not harm their baby.The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) set this level at 200 mg caffeine, which approximates to roughly two cups of moderate-strength coffee per day.Through database searches, the research team from Reykjavik University in Iceland identified 1,261 English language peer-reviewed articles linking caffeine and caffeinated beverages to pregnancy outcomes. These were whittled down to 48 original observational studies and meta-analyses published in the past two decades reporting results for one or more of six major negative pregnancy outcomes.The outcomes were miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight and/or small for gestational age, preterm birth, childhood acute leukaemia, and childhood overweight and obesity.A total of 42 separate findings were reported in 37 observational studies; of these 32 found that caffeine significantly increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and 10 found no or inconclusive associations. The caffeine-related risk was reported with moderate to high levels of consistency for all pregnancy outcomes except preterm birth.Eleven studies reported on the findings of 17 meta-analyses, and in 14 of this maternal caffeine consumption was associated with increased risk for four adverse outcomes: miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight and/or small for gestational age, and childhood acute leukaemia. The three remaining meta-analyses did not find an association between maternal caffeine consumption and preterm birth.The author pointed out that the results could be impacted by other confounding factors, such as the recall of caffeine consumption, maternal cigarette smoking and most importantly pregnancy symptoms.Pregnancy symptoms such as nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy are predictive of a healthy pregnancy and women who experience them are likely to reduce their caffeine intake."The cumulative scientific evidence supports pregnant women and women contemplating pregnancy being advised to avoid caffeine," the study authors wrote.--IANSbu/dpb/bg