Pregnancy hormones are among the significant causes of frequent mood swings and urges for different food items during the gestation period. However, knowing what's good and what's not to consume during those nine months is equally vital.
Green tea is among the most debated beverages, with experts split on whether it's good to drink during pregnancy. Here, we will provide research-based information to answer the question: Is green tea good for pregnancy? We will also tell you how much green tea you can safely consume.
Is It Okay to have Green Tea during Pregnancy?
Let’s delve into the answer to whether green tea is actually good for pregnancy.
- Green tea is safe for drinking during gestation months. It contains caffeine, which some researchers and medical professionals believe could affect child development. However, it won't harm if you limit it to three cups or less than 200 mg of caffeine daily.
- Experts believe a high intake of green tea can spike blood pressure for people on certain medications, such as Metoprolol, Warfarin, and Propranolol. It might also affect iron absorption adversely.
- Matcha green tea is tagged as one of the safest green teas to drink because of its comparatively low caffeine content and high concentration of antioxidants. It contains 25 grams of caffeine per cup versus 100 grams in regular green tea variants. Given its health benefits, doctors recommend this green tea variant for good health during pregnancy.
- Green tea contains antioxidants that help speed up our metabolism, which balances frequent mood swings during pregnancy. Antioxidants in green tea also help to avert diseases like high blood pressure, heart ailments, cancer, etc.
- A controlled intake of green tea helps lower your stress and regulate blood pressure efficiently. It is helpful for a pregnant woman. Indigestion and stomach problems are common among pregnant women. Green tea can be beneficial to ease those discomforts.
- Green tea boosts immune system strength by regulating T-cells. Pregnancy-related illnesses can be alleviated with a strong and resilient immune system.
Remember that consuming green tea in moderation is wise. Since there is caffeine in green tea, consuming it in excess can lead to premature birth, stillbirth, miscarriages, low birth weight of the baby, and other complications.