The dream of every woman is to get pregnant. But as lovely as pregnancy is, you will agree with me that pregnancy comes with its discomfort. Part of the discomfort is backache, morning sickness, constipation, and lots more.
In this view, what you take when pregnant is crucial to healthy and safe delivery.
Green tea is a beverage most pregnant women love to take. But since it is a caffeinated drink, and there are lots of fusses about the consumption of caffeine from different health experts, you may be wondering if green tea is safe for pregnant women or not?
Well, in this post, you will know whether it is good or bad to drink green tea in pregnancy. Just dive in and let’s go!
Is green tea safe during pregnancy?
Yes, of course, green tea is safe to drink during pregnancy. However, since green tea is not caffeine-free, you must beware of the amount you take per day to avoid complications.
Besides, you can also decaffeinate green tea to make it safer to drink.
Meanwhile, decaffeinating green tea does not make it zero percent free of caffeine. Therefore, you still have to take some precautions while drinking it to avoid complications.
Moreover, you may be wondering, which of the green tea is best for you during pregnancy?
Since the level of caffeine in green tea varies from type to type, and brand to brand, it is pertinent you take the one with the low amount of caffeine.
Powdered green tea is more caffeinated than loose or bag ones. Therefore, it is safe to say bagged or loose leaf green tea is best for you during pregnancy.
How much green tea can you drink while pregnant?
If you can’t do without consuming green tea when pregnant, then you must be aware of the amount to drink to make you and your unborn baby safe.
Green tea even though not as caffeinated as coffee or other energy drinks needs to be taken responsibly, particularly during pregnancy.
Since an 8 oz cup of green tea contains nothing less than 30-35 mg of caffeine, then taking only one cup is advisable while pregnant. Anything beyond that might cause overdosing.
This may be detrimental not only to your health but also to your unborn baby.
However, to avoid complications, you must know how and when to drink green tea in pregnancy. So, here are a few tips:
- Since green tea can inhibit iron absorption in the body, you must not drink it with or immediately after taking an iron-rich meal. Instead, take after one hour after eating an iron-rich meal.
- Avoid drinking green tea on an empty stomach to prevent stomach ache, constipation, and lots more.
- Since green tea is not caffeine-free, avoid taking it excessively or before bedtime to prevent insomnia.
- If you must drink green tea, don’t drink spoilt or expired green tea.
Can you drink green tea in the first trimester?
Green tea can prevent the absorption of folic acid in the body. Folic acid is needed particularly in the first trimester of pregnancy for child development.
So, you may try and abstain or take very little quantity (one cup per day) in the first two weeks of pregnancy. With this, you can rest assured of no complications when you drink it in the first trimester.
Is too much green tea bad for pregnant women?
Green tea is highly beneficial not only to pregnant women but to all and sundry. Without mincing words, some side effects may occur while drinking it irresponsibly during pregnancy. They are:
Neural tube defect
Virtually all teas cause neural tube defects and green tea is no exception. A neural tube defect is a brain or spinal disorder. And it could occur as a result of a lack of the body system to absorb the necessary folic acid.
Green tea if taken excessively can cause this defect. This is because it contains catechin – a substance that can inhibit the absorption of folic acid in the body.
Miscarriage
Miscarriage can occur when you drink green tea in excess during pregnancy. This is because green tea has caffeine, a stimulant that could decrease the flow of blood in the placenta.
Caffeine can also cross the placenta to the fetus and cause an under-develop metabolic system.
Meanwhile, other negative effects of drinking too much green tea while pregnant are; stillbirth, low body iron absorption, insomnia, dehydration, and lots more.
Benefits of drinking green tea in pregnancy
Even though drinking green tea in pregnancy comes with its side defect, there is no doubt about the fact that there are tons of benefits accrue to drinking it when pregnant.
1. Prevent Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is an acute condition that may occur during pregnancy. This condition is characterized by swelling of the leg and high blood pressure.
At times, preeclampsia may prevent the flow of blood to the baby artery, thereby leading to low birth weight. However, this condition can be treated by drinking the appropriate amount of green tea.
This is because green tea contains a compound that can foster endothelial damage in preeclampsia.
2. Ravishing and healthy skin
As we all know that pregnancy comes with its discomfort. And part of it is skin rashes. However, the anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties of green tea make it very easy to fight microbes causing skin rashes in the body. Hence, causing the skin to glow.
3. Prevent Gestational Diabetes
If you are pregnant and you are suffering from gestational diabetes, then it is time you make green tea your close companion. Why? Green tea helps regulate blood sugar levels, thus preventing gestational diabetes.
4. Prevent dental issues
There is no doubt that dental issues are common during pregnancy. So, the consumption of green tea will help protect the teeth and gum from any dental issues. This is mainly due to the presence of antioxidants in it.
5. Improve immune system
Pregnancy is a stage that requires a lot of care and attention. At this stage, you will be prone to different health issues. In this view, you need to drink substances that will help boost your immune system.
And one of such substances is green tea. Research reveals that green tea helps increase the number of regulatory T-cells in the body, preventing the occurrence of diseases during pregnancy.
6. Mood swing
It is normal for you to experience a mood swing during pregnancy. However, you can alleviate this by drinking green tea. Green tea is rich in theanine – a type of amino acid that helps to calm and relax the body.
Final thoughts
Green tea can be taken during pregnancy. But, while drinking it when pregnant, you must drink it responsibly to avoid complications. One cup per day is enough for you to harness all the benefits accrue to drinking green tea.
By the way, Congratulations if you are pregnant 😉