Pregnant women typically get a laundry list of foods and activities to prevent, which can be overwhelming and complicated. Black tea is the most extremely caffeinated of the teas prepared from the leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis.
It’s likewise the most familiar tea to American customers. In the United States, we drink black tea both hot and cold. Black tea is also the basis for Chai, a popular Indian drink spiced with cinnamon and cardamom.
Due to the long fermentation that’s part of its processing, black tea includes the most caffeine of all the true teas, from 40 to 120 mg, depending upon brand name. Other foods, consisting of coffee, cola beverages and chocolate, include caffeine as well, so take them into factor to consider when computing your total day-to-day consumption.
Is it Safe to Drink Black Tea During Pregnancy?
Is it safe for you and your baby? Although there is some debate relating to the safety of caffeine during pregnancy, tea– even caffeinated Ceylon black tea — appears to be safe during pregnancy– as long as it is consumed in moderation.
Advantages of Ceylon Black Tea
Pregnant women might gain numerous gain from consuming Ceylon black tea during pregnancy. Hot tea is warming, and may assist with relaxation and settling the stomach.
Black teas are likewise rich in anti-oxidants, which can help reduce the effects of the damage from harmful particles called reactive oxygen types or complimentary radicals. Some herbal teas are developed to help with morning illness and to otherwise promote a healthy and comfy pregnancy.
Ceylon Black Tea and Caffeine
The main interest in drinking black tea during pregnancy is caffeine. Herbal black teas, from Ceylon do not consist of any caffeine; it is found just in nonherbal teas. The typical cup of routine nonherbal tea contains between 40 and 50 milligrams of caffeine.
Ceylon black tea includes ~60 or more milligrams per serving, while its regular green tea consists of 35 milligrams. Although it is also possible to get decaffeinated nonherbal tea, these teas are usually not totally caffeine-free. Rather, they have a significantly decreased caffeine content– normally about 0.4 milligram.
Caffeine and the Baby
Caffeine can in theory be dangerous during a pregnancy since it can cross the placenta, which indicates that the caffeine in your bloodstream can get in into your fetus’ blood stream.
During development, the infant’s body can not completely metabolize caffeine, so it can have a higher impact on the baby than on the mother. This caffeine can impact the baby’s sleep and movement during pregnancy. In addition, high quantities of caffeine may cause an increased risk of birth defects and other complications of pregnancy.
Safe in Moderation
Although there are some concerns that caffeine can be unsafe during pregnancy, it appears that mild caffeine usage during pregnancy does not present a serious health risk to either the mother or the infant.
The March of Dimes states that consuming some caffeine is OK for pregnant women, as long as the amount does not exceed 200 milligrams daily. Since the average cup of nonherbal tea has in between 40 and 50 milligrams of caffeine, Ceylon tea needs to be safe in small amounts. Women concerned about caffeine consumption must talk with their doctors, and check their other foods and drinks for caffeine.
Health Tips: Black Tea During Pregnancy
The caffeine content isn’t the only potential issue with black tea in pregnancy. Black tea is a natural diuretic and hence increases urine output, so if you have reached the stage in your pregnancy where you need to alleviate yourself regularly, consider minimizing your tea consumption.
Black tea can likewise cause sleep problems and raise your blood pressure. These are both typical pregnancy complications, particularly in the third trimester, so prevent drinking black tea if you develop these symptoms.
If you’re diabetic, know that black tea can increase your blood sugar level levels and require a change in your medication. Prevent black tea if you’ve established pregnancy-related anemia, as black tea intensifies anemia. And if your obstetrician is worried about your calcium levels, you need to stop consuming black tea, since caffeine diminishes the body’s calcium reserves.
Tips from Moms
Q. Is it safe to drink black tea? I am on week 5 and I do not drink any coffee, however I like black tea. I normally drink 2-3 large cups a day. Can I simply make the tea lighter however still have my 2 cups?
1. I also heard that drinking 200mg/day wouldn’t hurt the baby. However we need to keep in mind that what ever mama eats/drinks goes to the baby. We would not give caffeine to our newborns. So, I attempt to restrict it. Simply my idea.
2. You have to restrict your caffeine intake during pregnancy. Research studies have revealed that more than 200 mg of caffeine daily increases the risk of miscarriage. Tea has about 60 mg per cup.
3. I am a tea lovert too! My Dr. said that 300mg/day is fine. Which a 6-8 oz glass (that is actually small!) has around 48mg in it. Personally, I just drink percentages at a time, so I do not get a “” caffeine buzz”” that I used to obtain when I would down it!
Good luck! Have a nice weekend!
Many things I’ve read say one caffeinated drink each day is ok and safe for your baby. My doctor told me I could eat anything as long as I am not smoking or drinking and keep it in small amounts. Asian women are drinking black tea as usual even they are pregnant and haven’t problems in case of this.