During pregnancy with all the necessary nutrients, you will need a lot of fluids for the development of the placenta, amniotic fluid and the future baby. Based on your body’s needs, you will need at least 8 to 12 glasses of water per 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 remains in the mother’s blood for a very long time and passes through the placenta to the fetal cycle, which is harmful to the health of the pregnancy.
According to experts from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), you can drink less than 200 mg of coffee each day. This is about 1 to 2 standard cups of coffee. However, you can always replace 2n.d cup of coffee with a hot herbal tea.
You can also consider drinking a cup of green tea. It 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 protect the DNA in the body’s cells from being damaged.
Well! There are many 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 at all stages of pregnancy. Even during your second and third trimesters of pregnancy, green tea intake should not exceed two cups to reap the benefits:
Keeps blood pressure regulated during pregnancy
According to research, up to 7% of you will be diagnosed with preeclampsia or hypertension during pregnancy after 20u week. Uncontrolled pre-eclampsia or high blood pressure can prevent the baby’s healthy development. It can even damage the would-be mummy’s liver and kidneys. A little exercise, a balanced diet and fluids can regulate your blood pressure. A cup or two of green tea can also help. Besides, green tea is an excellent source of polyphenols or antioxidants that can keep blood pressure or hypertension caused by pregnancy within limits.
Keep pregnancy-induced blood sugar under control
Gestational diabetes can be a temporary condition in which blood sugar levels rise during pregnancy due to insulin resistance and being overweight or obese. Being active can definitely lower your body’s glucose levels while you’re carrying your baby. However, drinking green tea with polyphenols and polysaccharides can effectively lower your body’s glucose levels.
Keep pregnancy-related dental problems safe
In pregnancy, due to pregnancy hormone fluctuations, you will not only suffer from emotional and physical changes like – mood swings, anxiety, depression, etc., but you will also feel bloated, cramping, etc. Pregnancy-related dental problems such as gingivitis, tooth decay, etc. are also common. Drinking green tea with antioxidant catechin can help destroy bacteria and virus that attack teeth.
Keep away indigestion, heartburn or constipation associated with pregnancy
Due to hormonal fluctuations and constant nutrition during pregnancy. heartburn, constipation and stomach ailments are common. Drinking 1 or 2 cups of antioxidant-rich green tea can keep acid reflux at bay.
Keeps mood swings under control
During pregnancy, the feeling of anxiety and depression for the growing baby cannot be denied. Losing your temper while planning the nursery or baby at home is a common pregnancy symptom. Yoga and exercise can definitely keep you healthy. Eating right and drinking green tea can also help.
It keeps skin problems related to pregnancy reduced
Drinking green tea during pregnancy can be beneficial in reducing acne and breakouts due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It can help relieve skin problems caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy.
Keeps the immune system boosted by pregnancy
Along with rising hormones and an increased immune system, there are chances that you will get sick quite often. A balanced and nutritious diet can help, as green tea can also combat a fluctuating immune system. Green tea, however, can stimulate ‘T’ cells and help fight common diseases.
Apart from enjoying the benefits of drinking green tea, drinking too much green tea has risk factors.
The risk factors of excessive consumption of green tea
Drinking too much green tea can interfere with the body’s absorption of iron, block the release of red blood cells, cause further anemia, and compromise essential oxygen and nutrients for the growing baby. Along with this, drinking green tea while you are pregnant prevents the absorption of folate or folic acid, which can further lead to birth defects related to the brain and spine in the baby.
So, while including green tea in your regular diet, remember that organic, decaffeinated green tea and matcha green tea are some of the best. And remember, don’t drink green tea on an empty stomach. Try to keep a gap of at least 2 hours between meals and before or after sleeping.
