Commonly pregnant women are advised but their healthcare providers to avoid drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Now, coffee has been added to the list.

Neuroscientist Joseph Nunez and his colleagues at Michigan State University conducted research on the effect of coffee on pregnant rats. They observed that babies born to coffee-quaffing mothers had behavioral and biological changes. Dr Nunez said that caffeine can cross the placenta and affect the fetus for up to four days.

This is the first research suggesting the link between caffeine intake and behavioral implications. Though the research is conducted on animals, obstetrician Jonathan Morris of the University of Sydney and the Royal North Shore Hospital said that they fitted with previous research on pregnant women that found a link between coffee and miscarriage.

Know more about Foods to Avoid and Foods to Take during pregnancy.