Cocoa During Pregnancy: What You Should Consider

There is often uncertainty as to whether cocoa is allowed during pregnancy. We have researched for you why caution is advisable with this treatment and what is completely harmless or even recommendable.

Cocoa during pregnancy: caffeine and theobromine

You can also enjoy cocoa during pregnancy. However, you should be careful not to eat or drink too much of it. You can treat yourself to two cups a day without hesitation. The caffeine contained in a large quantity can be critical.

• You also take in caffeine with cocoa – but far less than with coffee. There are about 140 milligrams in a cup of filter coffee, the same amount of cocoa drink only has about 8 to a maximum of 35 milligrams.
• Caffeine reaches the fetus freely through the placenta. The unborn child does not yet have the body’s own equipment to break down caffeine. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) considers a dose of 200 milligrams of caffeine spread over the day to be uncritical.
• Of the alkaloid theobromine contained in cocoa, you take about 140 milligrams with a cup of cocoa. It also has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system, but much more gently than caffeine. Theobromine is even reputed to have an antihypertensive effect.
• Theobromine could even have an extremely positive effect on pregnant women. There are various studies showing that the alkaloid reduces the likelihood of developing preeclampsia (gestosis) in pregnancy.
• However, the studies do not yet allow for a conclusive recommendation.

What is still in cocoa products and has meaning

In addition to the well-known stimulating alkaloids, catechins and procyanidins are also included. These are considered positive for the heart and circulation. Nevertheless, there are other substances in cocoa, not all of which have a positive balance:

• Cocoa contains so much oxalic acid that calcium absorption can be inhibited. In fact, this is a problem unless there are additional sources of calcium in the food.
• However, if the cocoa is drunk with plenty of milk or a plant drink enriched with calcium, the inhibition of calcium absorption is put into perspective. Nevertheless, as a pregnant woman, you should not overdo it with cocoa because you now need a lot of this bone-building material.
• Another reason to be cautious about consuming cocoa during pregnancy is the sometimes high cadmium content. This applies in particular to fine flavor cocoa of the Criollo variety and cocoa that grows on the volcanic soils of South America.
• New limit values ​​for the maximum permissible cadmium content in cocoa and chocolate have been in force since 2019: 0.8 mg/kg applies as the maximum value for chocolate with a cocoa content of 50 percent or more, and 0.6 mg/kg for cocoa powder.
• Nevertheless, because cadmium can damage the kidneys and promote cancer, you should be careful with dark chocolate during pregnancy, also for the sake of your child.
• Many chocolate drinks not only contain cocoa but all the more sugar. As is well known, too much of it is not recommended – even more so in pregnancy when there is a risk of gestational diabetes.
• It is best to mix your cocoa yourself with cocoa powder and only a little sweetness, then you are on the safe side.
• In addition, make sure that your cocoa is of high quality – preferably organic. This is the best way to protect yourself, your child, and the environment from too many pesticides. It is also worth paying attention to fair production.