Can You Drink Green Tea While Pregnant?

Herbal teas are great option especially if you don’t drink enough water during the day. Herbal teas can hydrate the body and they also provide many health benefits. But, it is known that some herbal teas may be dangerous during pregnancy, so it is best to avoid them. Herbal teas that may be unsafe during pregnancy are usually cleansing and detoxification teas, as well as some teas for weight loss. Herbal laxatives can also be very dangerous for expectant mothers and they can lead to serious health complications. But, there are also non-herbal teas, such as a green tea which is known as one of the healthiest beverages.

In this article we will talk about green tea and its impact on pregnant women. Is green tea safe during pregnancy or it may be harmful? Read along this article and you will find out, but first we will tell you some things about green tea, as one of the most popular beverages worldwide.

More about Green Tea

You can buy at stores a green tea that is already prepared, but you can also make your own green tea at home. Green tea has a variety of health benefits. It is rich in antioxidants which fight against free radicals and prevent them to make cell damage in our bodies. Due to its high antioxidant content, green tea boosts our immune system.

Also, green tea can protect against heart disease and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Studies have also shown that green tea may lower high blood pressure. Regular consumption of green tea is also good for our bones and teeth. It is also known that green tea may reduce the risk of many types of cancer. Due to its diuretic properties, green tea reduces the appetite and removes excessive water from the body. This way green tea can help in weight loss.

As you can see, green tea is very healthy for people and we should consume it. But, what about pregnant women? Can they also drink green tea or it may be harmful? Below you will find out.

Is Green Tea Safe While Pregnant?

If you love green tea and you if you are pregnant, you must be wondering if green tea is safe to drink in pregnancy. But, we don’t have good news for you. A small cup of green tea probably won’t do any harm to you or your baby, but it is best to avoid drinking this beverage. Green tea is high in caffeine and it is known that caffeine should be avoided during pregnancy.

As we all know, caffeine is a diuretic and it can lead to dehydration of the body, which is not recommended during pregnancy. Pregnant women should always be hydrated and they need plenty of fluid. If you lose too much water, it can lead to many complications during pregnancy, so it is best to avoid drinking green tea. This tea can also cause an imbalance in the electrolytes of pregnant women, which can have some serious consequences. But, the amount of caffeine in green tea depends on the size and also on the type of the leaf but also on the method of preparation of the tea. How much caffeine will be in green tea depends mostly on how long it was brewed. It is important to know that even decaffeinated teas contain small quantities of caffeine, so you should be careful.

But, there are also some other factors that may be dangerous during pregnancy. Drinking large amounts of green tea can prevent a proper absorption of folic acid and it is known that folic acid is very important during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. A research has also shown that babies may develop some neural tube defects if their mothers drink large amounts if green tea not only in pregnancy but also around the time of conception. One more disadvantage of green tea is that green tea can make it difficult to absorb iron. To avoid that, you should never drink green tea with meals.

Knowing all these facts about green tea, it is best to consult your health provider and to ask him if it is safe to drink tea during pregnancy. We consider that a cup or two of green tea once in a while won’t do any harm to you and your baby, but regular consumption of this tea could be harmful. If you are an expectant mother and if you are addicted to green tea, you can drink a cup of green tea but only occasionally. In any case it is better to drink green tea than coffee, energy drinks or some other unhealthy drinks.

Summary

As you should know by now, many teas can be dangerous during pregnancy, so it is best to avoid them. It is also recommended to avoid drinking green tea during pregnancy because green tea contains high amounts of caffeine. Caffeine is known as a diuretic so it can lead to dehydration of the body, which can be very dangerous for expectant mothers. Dehydration can lead to many serious complications because pregnant women need a lot of fluid at any time.

Also, green tea can reduce folic acid absorption. If you are not sure whether green tea is good for you during pregnancy it is best to seek advice from your health provider.

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