Pregnancy is the most elated event for every woman as it brings a bunch of happiness and excitement. A pregnant woman needs more liquids to form the placenta and amniotic fluid. A pregnant woman should drink 10-12 glasses of water per day based on her body and needs. But in pregnancy, every woman should be cautious regarding their eating and drinking habits. There are a lot of foods and beverages that you need to restrict in pregnancy.
Green tea offers an array of health benefits. But whether it is safe to drink green tea in pregnancy is not yet very clear. Here we are going to discuss some more intriguing facts about green tea and how much you can consume green tea during pregnancy.
What is Green Tea?
Green tea is made up of the same plant as regular black tea. Green tea contains a lesser amount of caffeine as compared to coffee. Green tea is flooded with antioxidants called polyphenols. These antioxidants extirpate free radicals from the body and prevent them from damaging DNA in your cells. Green tea contains zero calories per cup.
An 8-ounce (oz) cup of green tea contains nearly 24-45 mg of caffeine. On the other hand, 8 oz of coffee contains 95-200 mg of caffeine. In a nutshell, a cup of green tea contains almost half the amount of caffeine in your typical cup of coffee.
Benefits of Green Tea while Pregnant
Let’s consider some of the benefits of green tea in pregnancy.
1. Maintains Blood Pressure
During pregnancy, many women face fluctuating blood pressure. Green tea contains antioxidants (polyphenols) that are effective in preventing cell damage. So, to control your blood pressure in pregnancy, you should consume green tea.
2. Keeps Blood Sugar under Control
Green tea is very beneficial in managing the level of sugar during pregnancy. This may alter sugar levels and is also advantageous for gestational diabetes (a diabetic condition found in pregnant women).
3. Assuages Mood Swings
Green tea improves and boosts your body’s metabolism and thus, it prevents mood swings during pregnancy. Green tea possesses theanine that offers relaxing effects and improves your mood.
4. Resolves Problems of the Skin
Women usually face hormonal changes in their pregnancy which can also lead to various skin problems. Green tea possesses anti-inflammatory properties that treat most skin problems like redness, acne, itching, and inflammation.
5. Boosts Immunity
Green tea stimulates the T-cells in the body. T-cell plays an imperative role in improving immunity and also, safeguards your body from future problems.
6. Enhances Bone Strength
If you drink green tea regularly, it will strengthen your bones and also promote oral health.
Read More: Exercise During Pregnancy: Why It Is Important And How To Do It?
Which Types of Green Tea are Beneficial in Pregnancy?
Though all green teas are good, still, some of them offer more health benefits to a pregnant woman.
1. Organic Green Tea: This green tea is extracted from the plant and is grown without any pesticides and fertilizers.
2. Decaf Green Tea: This type of green tea contains a minimal amount of caffeine as compared to normal green tea.
3. Matcha Green Tea: This tea is made up of the finest green tea leaves that contain higher amounts of antioxidants.
Tips to Consume Green Tea in Pregnancy
1. Green tea is safe in pregnancy, but don’t drink more than 2 cups in a day
2. Choose a good quality product as adulterated one could be dangerous for your baby
3. Never consume green tea in the early morning without eating anything. In pregnancy, it can lead to nausea, acidity, vomiting, constipation, and stomach problems
4. Always consume green two hours before or after your meal. Don’t take green tea with your foods
5. Don’t take green tea just before bedtime or in the late afternoon as it will disturb your sleeping pattern
6. Always use clean and filtered water to make green tea
Disadvantages of Green Tea in Pregnancy
Though green tea is safe and good in pregnancy, still, you should be careful about certain things before consuming green tea.
1. Effect on Iron Absorption
If you consume green tea in excessive amounts, then it may adversely affect the red blood cells to absorb iron. It also interferes with the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the baby.
2. Absorption of Folic Acid
Green tea prevents the absorption of folic acid that is an imperative vitamin during the first trimester of pregnancy. So, if you are pregnant, don’t consume green tea excessively as it may cause neural tube defects in the baby.
3. Interrupts your Sleep
In pregnancy, your body can’t break down caffeine. So, if you consume green tea excessively, then this will affect your sleeping pattern. Sleep deprivation may cause some serious health issues like heart problems, body aches, frequent urination, and many more
4. Digestion Problems
Avoid taking green tea with food as it can cause indigestion problems in pregnancy.
5. Increased Metabolic Rate
During pregnancy, a woman’s metabolism is already on the higher side, and overconsumption of green tea will improve it further. Increased metabolic rate is not good in pregnancy as it can lead to some physiological changes in the mother.
6. Green Tea Pills
Though green tea (not more than 2 cups in a day) is recommended in pregnancy, green tea pills are not safe for pregnant women as they uplift metabolism and may prevent the body from retaining nutrients. Moreover, they are also heavily concentrated and may cause excessive caffeine intake.
The Bottom Line
Green tea and pregnancy go side by side and green tea is truly the healthiest beverage that a pregnant woman can consume. But don’t overconsume and stay away from complications. If you are expecting, then consult a doctor before consuming green tea during this period.
