TEA AND PREGNANCY: THE ONLY ANSWER YOU NEED

Pregnancy is a wonderful experience and even scary too sometimes. Mothers have so many vigorous questions running through their minds some of which they can convey to a doctor, family member, friend, or a therapist while some cannot. One of those questions includes, “Can I drink tea during my pregnancy term?”

Well, of course, you can but caution and care can benefit you. Tea is one of the most consumed beverages worldwide and is loved heartfully. There are so many different varieties of tea like chai (milk-based), green tea, black tea, herbal tea, oolong tea, and iced tea. Each of these variants has its properties and uses depending upon its constituents. Certain teas are safe while some are not because of some nutritional content differences.

Caffeine: a no during pregnancy

Teas like green, white, black, matcha, oolong, and chai are prepared from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant which contains caffeine. It is known to hamper pregnancy and increase complications as the level of caffeine rises. Caffeine can cross the placenta and the baby can be born with an immature liver. Usually drinking coffee is safe for a normal human being but it contains the highest rate of caffeine because of which pregnant women are told to stay away from it and switch to natural beverages. Women with a very weak immune system tend to gather harm from it. The lesser the immune system is active, the more the chances for the body to see the negative effects of caffeine.

Hence, the amount of caffeine is the basis of choosing your choice of tea when you get pregnant. The table below shows the caffeine content in different variants of teas-

And lastly, coffee has 125-150 mg. To sum it up if you are pregnant or looking to conceive, you should not include any option in the above table mentioned later than the green tea in your daily routine of diet during your pregnancy term. 

Which teas can you have safely during pregnancy?

The safe level of consumption of caffeine per day should be kept up to 300 mg for a normal healthy person. But the women who are pregnant and are suffering from an underlying disease should maintain the level for up to 100 mg per day. 

The teas with these listed ingredients are safe to drink when pregnant-

• Raspberry leaf: Red raspberry fruit and leaf both are rich in minerals and vitamins. They contain magnesium, potassium, iron, etc. It helps to prepare the uterus by tightening up the walls and shortening the labor. Researches show that it shortens up the length of the second stage of labor by around 10 minutes.

• Ginger: It contains dietary fibers, iron, and a small amount of vitamin C. It is one of the most studied herbs for remedies in various diseases. It helps in reducing vomiting and nausea when consumed in the form of tea. But it should not be consumed in the dried form if pregnant.

• Peppermint: The leaves of the peppermint plant are a good source of manganese, iron, and copper. It is a refreshing tea that relieves stomach pain, nausea, heartburn, gas, and morning sickness. 

• Lemon Balm: The antioxidants are high in lemon balm. It belongs to the mint family and is considered safe and is used to decrease anxiety, insomnia, and irritability. 

• Chamomile flower: It mainly consists of polyphenols like apigenin and quercetin which have anti-anxiety properties. It has soothing effects that help to induce sleep. It provides calm and eases jittery nerves.

• Dandelion leaf: This is an excellent source of vitamin A, C, K, and E, folic acid, and minerals like iron, potassium, and calcium. It has a bold taste to it but helps women with fluid retention issues, digestion, and edema. 

• Aniseed: The mineral content is high in aniseeds. It contains copper, zinc, iron, magnesium, potassium, and much more. Also, the B-complex vitamins are present in it as well. It is usually helpful in the postpartum stage. It helps with better lactation and relieves colic problems and an upset stomach.   

All of these options not only support a woman during pregnancy but also helps in her menstruation cycle and discomforts associated with it. These ingredients in a natural tea lower the cramping, nausea, constipation, or loose motions, v=can be helpful with dysmenorrhea, PCOS, PMS, etc. 

Can you have bubble tea during pregnancy?

Bubble tea has gained popularity in recent years. It is a mix of tea (both water or milk-based) and some ‘bubbles’ that are extremely fun to have. The bubbles are made from tapioca starch. The tapioca is a rich source of iron but has not been proven positively effective during pregnancies. There has not been any study showing whether bubble tea is safe or not but when breaking down its ingredients, which are milk, black tea, green tea, artificial flavorings, and so on, it is better to not consume it if you are pregnant.

Black tea and pregnancy

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As mentioned above, black tea has 60-75 mg of caffeine content. It is made from dried leaves of tea plants and is brewed to give a strong flavor. Its more beneficial yet harmful factor is that the mineral and nutritional components it holds get easily absorbed in the bloodstream. So, for a normal person drinking black tea could affect positively its anti-aging properties, good antioxidant level, and calming effect on nerves and stress, but on the other hand, it could put a negative impact on a pregnant woman because of the caffeine level. 

So, it is safer to not include black tea in your pregnancy diet.

Iced tea during pregnancy

It is the most refreshing tea one could think of. Summer days are not complete without iced tea. Nonetheless, Its caffeine level ranges from 12 mg to 18 mg per cup and is safe to consume during pregnancy. But, the taste should not blind someone. It is a tea that has the most sugar content amongst all tea variants. High sugar intake is not recommended for a safe pregnancy. High blood sugar levels are damaging to the development of the baby and can cause miscarriages or premature labor. Hence, it is safer to not have iced tea. 

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Although, if you want to (considering the low levels of caffeine) you should avoid the iced tea mixes available at the supermarket or a cafe, rather you should have freshly prepared homemade iced tea with less sugar and healthy natural ingredients. It will balance out your cravings with the healthy nutritional contents of chosen ingredients.

Milk tea and pregnancy

Chai or milk tea is prepared from milk and black tea. Indians are the ones who consume it regularly. A bit of cinnamon or black pepper may increase the taste and look calming but the high caffeine levels result in premature labor and increased use of medical interventions as the complications increase during childbirth. It is highly recommended to stay away from milk-based teas and caffeine during pregnancy. 

The verdict

Despite the taste and brutal cravings during pregnancy, not all teas are safe for the mother and the baby. Caffeinated beverages should be told a “no” and the diet should include all-natural food items and ingredients for your tea. Make sure to consult your gynecologist before starting any tea routine for precautionary reasons. Because your health conditions matter while choosing a diet as a soon-to-be mother. Including a natural or herbal tea can relieve the labor pain, induce labor, prevent miscarriage, boost your immunity, protect your baby and nourish him/her in the womb, prevent postpartum complications, and improve lactation. The list does not stop here, but it all depends upon your choice of safe ingredients in your tea.