Miranda AR, Cortez MV, Scotta AV, Soria EA. Caffeinated non-alcoholic beverages on the postpartum mental health related to the COVID-19 pandemic by a cross-sectional study in Argentina.
HUMAN NUTRITION & METABOLISM 2023;
33:200198. [PMID:
38620109 PMCID:
PMC10250059 DOI:
10.1016/j.hnm.2023.200198]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Purpose
This work aimed to study postpartum mental outcomes and determinants of the intake of caffeinated beverages during the pandemic in women from Argentina.
Methods
This cross-sectional study recruited 619 women who responded to online self-report questionnaires during the first and second waves of COVID-19, including validated instruments (Insomnia Severity Index, Perceived Stress Scale, Postpartum Depression Screening Scale, Memory Complaint Scale, and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale), and general data. Intake frequency and amount of caffeinated beverages were estimated. Multivariate regression and structural equation models identified associations and effects (p < 0.05).
Results
Women were under social restrictions for 60.39 days, with home and essential activities increasing caffeinated intake. They ingested (mL/d): yerba mate (1457.71), coffee (66.85), tea (67.61), and soft drinks (50.95), which provided 646.20 mg/d of caffeine. Intakes of coffee and yerba mate were higher than pre-pandemic ones. Coffee was positively associated with stress and insomnia, and indirectly linked to higher levels of depression and memory complaints, and lower breastfeeding self-efficacy. Tea showed a similar but weaker association. Yerba mate correlated inversely with depression (through direct pathways), insomnia, and memory complaints (through indirect pathways), promoting breastfeeding self-efficacy. Soft drinks and caffeine did not present significant associations.
Conclusion
Although findings do not imply causation, results suggest that beverages would exhibit caffeine-independent affective and cognitive roles, which might be anxiogenic in the case of coffee and tea (to a lesser extent). Yerba mate showed antidepressant potential. Given that breastfeeding might be compromised during the pandemic, yerba mate intake is promissory to protect postpartum mental health.
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