Drink Green Tea During Pregnancy: Benefits and Risks for Expecting Mother

Cordlife India

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During pregnancy with all the essential nutrients, you’d need a lot of fluids for the development of the placenta, amniotic fluid, and the baby-to-be. Based on your body’s needs you’d need at least 8 to 12 glasses of water a day. You can add juices, smoothies, and soups to it. 

Tea and coffee can also be included in the list. But you need to keep in mind that, coffee lingers on the maternal blood for a very long time and passes from the placenta to foetal circle, which is harmful to the pregnancy health. 

According to experts from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG), you can drink less than 200 mg of coffee every day. That is approximately 1 to 2 standard cups of coffee. But, you can always replace the 2nd cup of coffee with a warm herbal tea.

You can also consider drinking a cup of green tea. That is made from the same plant as regular tea. It is full of antioxidants, and these antioxidants are known as polyphenols. Polyphenols or Antioxidants are free radicals in the body, and they save the DNA in the cells in the body from getting damaged.  

Well! There are several other benefits of drinking green tea during pregnancy. 

The Benefits of Drinking Green Tea During Pregnancy 

All you need is two cups of green a day during all the stages of pregnancy. Even during the second and third trimester of your pregnancy, your intake of green tea shouldn’t exceed more than two cups to reap the benefits: 

Keeps the blood pressure regulated during pregnancy

According to research, up to 7% of your will be diagnosed with preeclampsia or hypertension during pregnancy after the 20th week. Unmanaged preeclampsia or hypertension can prevent the baby from developing healthily. Even it can damage the would-be-mummy’s liver and kidneys. Just a little exercise, a balanced diet, and fluids can regulate your blood pressure. A cup or two of green tea can also help. After all, green tea is an excellent source of polyphenols or antioxidants that can keep pregnancy-induced blood pressure or hypertension within limits.  

Keep the pregnancy-induced blood sugar in control

Gestational diabetes may be a temporary condition in which blood sugar levels during pregnancy increase because of insulin resistance and being plus–size or obese. Being active can surely reduce the glucose levels in your body, while you’re carrying your baby inside you. However, consuming green tea with polyphenols and polysaccharides can effectively reduce your body’s glucose levels.  

In pregnancy, due to the fluctuating pregnancy hormones not only will you be suffering from emotional, and physical changes like – mood swings, anxiety, depression, etc., but you’ll also feel swollen, cramped, etc. The pregnancy-related dental problems like gingivitis, cavities, etc are also common. Consumption of green tea with antioxidant catechin can help in destroying the bacteria, and virus attacking the teeth.

Due to the hormonal fluctuations and constant eating during pregnancy; heartburn, constipation, and stomach ailments are common. Drinking 1 or 2 cups of green tea with rich antioxidants can keep acid reflux at bay. 

Keeps the mood swings in control

During pregnancy, the feeling of anxiety, and depression for the developing baby cannot be denied. Losing your temper while planning the nursery or baby-proofing the house is a common pregnancy symptom. Doing yoga and exercise can keep can surely keep you sane. Eating the right kind of diet and consuming green tea can also help. 

Drinking green tea during pregnancy can be beneficial for reducing acne and breakouts due to its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It can help alleviate the skin problems caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy. 

Keeps the pregnancy-induced immune system boosted

Along with the soaring hormones and increasing immune system, there are chances that you may fall sick quite often. Having a balanced and nutritious diet can help, including green tea can also battle the fluctuating immune system. Green tea, however, can stimulate the “T” cells and help in combating common illnesses. 

Besides enjoying the benefits of consuming green tea, drinking too much green tea has risk factors attached. 

The risk factors of consuming too much green tea

Excessive consumption of green tea may impact the iron absorption in the body prevent the release of red blood cells, further give rise to anaemia, and compromise the essential oxygen and nutrient-contents in the developing baby. Along with that, drinking green tea while you’re pregnant hampers the absorption of folate or folic acid, which can further lead to brain and spine-related birth defects in the baby.

So, while including green tea in your regular diet, remember organic, decaf, and matcha green tea are some of the best. And remember, do not drink green tea on an empty stomach. Try to keep a gap of at least 2 hours between meals, and before or after bedtime.  

Eat and drink right during pregnancy. That’s all!