Millions of people around the world look forward to a cup of coffee whether at home, whilst on the move or at work. The aroma, taste and the sense of feeling “refreshed” after a cup of coffee brings pleasure to many of us, as we go about our daily lives.

Coffee is one of the most widely researched ingredients and the growing body of scientific research shows that coffee, when drunk in moderation (four to five regular size cups a day) is safe for healthy adults and can even have beneficial health implications as part of a healthy diet and physically active lifestyle.

Medical and scientific organisations around the world advise pregnant women to consume no more than 300 mg of caffeine per day (equivalent to 3 regular size cups of coffee). Recent guidance from the Food Standards Agency in the UK recommends that pregnant women limit their caffeine intake to 200 mg per day (approximately two regular size cups of coffee). It remains to be seen whether this precautionary point of view will be endorsed by scientific bodies around the world. All sources of caffeine should be considered when considering total daily intake; including coffee, tea, cola drinks, energy drinks and chocolate.