Discover The Benefits Of Green Tea In Pregnancy

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.

Is Drinking Green Tea While Pregnant Safe?

If you enjoy drinking green tea and you’re pregnant, you might wonder if it’s safe. Like with any food or drink, too much green tea may be harmful. However, if you drink it in moderation, it can be a safe stimulant during pregnancy. It’s generally considered safe to have up to 2 small mugs of green tea per day when you’re expecting.

Be cautious during the first trimester as green tea may reduce folic acid levels. Even in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, limit your green tea intake to two cups a day to ensure the safety of both your baby and you.

Keep in mind green tea isn’t considered herbal tea and contains some caffeine, albeit much less than coffee. An eight-ounce small mug of green tea usually has about 25 to 45 mg of caffeine, whereas the same quantity of coffee can have 95 to 200 mg caffeine. Therefore, pregnant women should drink green tea in moderation.

Benefits of Green Tea During Pregnancy

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

One of the effects of green tea on pregnancy is that it 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?

7. Protection against dental problems

One of the benefits of drinking green tea during pregnancy is that it protects you against several dental problems. Pregnancy can make you vulnerable to dental complications like tooth decay, gum inflammation, and other oral health concerns.

However, there is a natural solution that can help safeguard against these problems. Green tea contains a potent antioxidant called catechin, which possesses the property to eliminate the harmful bacteria and viruses responsible for such dental issues.

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.

How much quantity of green tea during pregnancy is safe?

Several healthcare professionals may advise you to restrict your caffeine intake to under 200 mg per day. If your doctor endorses such guidelines, it is generally acceptable to consume one or two cups of green tea daily.

However, it is important to carefully monitor your overall caffeine consumption to ensure that it remains within the limits recommended by your doctor. Additionally, it is crucial to account for caffeine obtained from other sources such as chocolate, carbonated beverages, black tea, energy drinks, and coffee.

Safety of Decaf Green Tea in Pregnancy

Even though decaffeinated teas have had most of their caffeine removed, they still have a tiny amount. Based on the USDA regulations, for tea to be labelled as decaf, 97% caffeine from green tea must be removed. Decaf green tea is considered safe to drink when you are pregnant, but it’s important to remember that it still contains caffeine and should be consumed in moderation. To help you make informed choices, below is a table listing popular brands of decaffeinated tea and the approximate quantity of caffeine they contain.

Can Green Tea Boost Fertility and Increase the Odds of Pregnancy?

Many hopeful parents wonder if green tea can boost fertility. They often ask their doctors this question and receive a positive response. Green tea has important elements that can enhance fertility. It includes:

• Antioxidants: Green tea extracts have many antioxidants that have an important role in protecting the cells in your reproductive system. These antioxidants work by getting rid of harmful free radicals, which can cause damage to the cells. By preventing oxidative damage, green tea extracts help prepare your body for pregnancy. This is beneficial because it supports the health of your reproductive system and increases the chances of getting pregnant.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C plays a vital role in neutralising harmful free radicals that can cause damage to reproductive cells. Many clinical trials have been conducted to study the effects of green tea in aiding conception. The findings suggest that green tea can significantly improve the chances of getting pregnant.
• Minerals: Green tea leaves contain small amounts of minerals such as zinc, manganese, chromium, and selenium. These minerals have positive effects on egg viability in females and sperm count and motility in males. Green tea can aid in conception due to the presence of natural and organic compounds that enhance fertility and provide additional health benefits.

Relationship Between Miscarriage and Green Tea Consumption

There are many misunderstandings regarding the impact of green tea on miscarriage. However, scientific evidence does not support any association between the two. If you consume green tea in moderate amounts and keep track of your caffeine intake, both your baby and you will be safe.

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

Side Effects 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.

7. Stillbirth

Excessive consumption of green tea containing caffeine can increase the risk of stillbirth, which is a condition when a fetus passes away after the 20th week of pregnancy. The baby might have died in the womb weeks or hours before labour, or rarely, during labour itself. Despite significant advancements in prenatal care, stillbirths continue to occur and often remain unexplained.

8. Premature birth

The presence of caffeine in coffee can hinder the proper growth of a child’s organs, potentially leading to premature birth.

9. Low Birth Weight

Pregnant women should refrain from consuming green tea due to its stimulating effects. Excessive intake can raise the mother’s heart rate and blood pressure, which can directly affect the baby.

10. Dehydration

Green tea can cause an increase in urination, leading to greater water release from the body. However, during pregnancy, it is important to ensure proper hydration levels are maintained.

11. Damage to the DNA

In addition to the antioxidant properties, green tea contains polyphenols that combat harmful free radicals causing infections. However, it’s important to note that green tea also contains caffeine, which can have negative effects on DNA if consumed excessively.(9)

Drinking Green Tea While Pregnant – Points To Remember

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.

Consuming green tea in moderation may be considered acceptable since a typical cup usually contains less than 45 mg of caffeine. However, it is crucial to consult your doctor for confirmation. To ensure that your caffeine intake remains within the recommended limits, it is important to carefully read product labels before consuming any food or beverage. It’s worth noting that brewed iced green tea may contain a higher caffeine content than an average cup.

Additionally, it is vital to pay attention to your body’s signals. If your doctor approves of a cup of green tea, but you experience jitteriness or difficulty sleeping, it might be wise to switch to decaffeinated versions or avoid green tea altogether.

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   https://www.momjunction.com/articles/is-it-safe-to-drink-green-tea-during-pregnancy_0079274/ .Accessed March 05, 2022.”
4. Green Tea During Pregnancy: Is It Safe?. Japanese Green Tea Co. https://www.japanesegreenteain.com/blogs/green-tea-and-health/is-green-tea-bad-for-a-pregnant-woman .Accessed April 19, 2023.