The Best Teas for Pregnant Women
A healthy diet is very important during pregnancy. We should be very careful about what we should and should not eat. Drinking tea, for example, is beneficial and we should know what the best teas are for this stage.
There are many different types of tea and some aren’t recommended during pregnancy. That’s why it’s very important to know what herb the tea comes from and what properties they have. Taking the right precautions will keep us away from harm.
Green tea and rooibos tea are both very beneficial during pregnancy when consumed in moderation.
The best teas for pregnancy
Tea provides many benefits for your body during pregnancy. Below you’ll find a list of teas and infusions as well as their different properties:
- Rooibos tea contains antioxidants which help stimulate the body’s defenses which are usually low during the first weeks of pregnancy.
- Green tea is also rich in antioxidants that protect DNA from damage. They also promote the baby’s development.
- Black tea is one of the safest teas during pregnancy, however it should only be consumed if it’s decaffeinated.
- One of the best teas for pregnancy is oat straw tea. It is very nutritious and it relieves the nervous system. In addition, it provides important vitamins and minerals.
- Ginger tea. This is one of the most recommended teas during pregnancy since it helps relieve nausea.
- Nettle tea is also recommended for pregnant women. It contains vitamins and minerals such as iron and calcium.
- Thyme tea contains many vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, iron, manganese, calcium and fiber.
Which teas are not recommended during pregnancy?
Although there are many teas that are beneficial for pregnant women, there are also others that aren’t recommended. It’s important to be informed about them:
- Sage tea has a substance called thujone, which can cause uterine stimulation, miscarriages and high blood pressure.
- If you drink a lot of parsley tea, it can also do a lot of damage. It may increase the risk of miscarriages and even affect the baby’s development.
- Green tea has its benefits and risks, that’s why it’s also on this list as well. It is not recommended in large amounts because it contains caffeine and it reduces the absorption of folic acid. However, if it’s consumed in moderation, it can help regulate blood sugar and it can even prevent the development of gestational diabetes.
- Another tea that isn’t recommended is licorice root tea because it can increase blood pressure.
- Although it seems strange, chamomile tea isn’t recommended during pregnancy. It has may benefits but it can also cause problems in the baby’s circulatory system.
- Eucalyptus tea can treat respiratory issues, however during pregnancy it can cause nausea, diarrhea and vomiting
- One of the most dangerous teas is mentha pulegium tea. It can cause malformations to occur in the baby in severe cases.
- A tea that should never be consumed during pregnancy is rhubarb tea. It’s so strong that it can cause uterine contractions which could lead to a miscarriage.
- Boldo leaf tea has properties that are contraindicated during pregnancy. It can cause contractions and premature births.
- Some experts advise pregnant women not to drink valerian tea due to the negative effects it can have.
Some advice on drinking tea during pregnancy
- Don’t consume herbal teas in excess. They can cause uterine issues.
- You can drink one to three cups of tea a day. Drinking more than that could be harmful.
- Tea contains some caffeine, that’s why it should be consumed in moderation.
- Try to drink different types of tea, they all have different properties and flavors.
- White tea and jasmine are highly recommended during pregnancy.
Tea is very good for pregnant women, however, some types of tea can also be harmful. That’s why it’s very important to be informed about the properties that the tea contains before ingesting them.
Ask someone who knows about teas, share your doubts and above all: avoid drinking teas that you’re unsure about.
Remember that you have to protect your health and that of your baby.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Carrasco, Á. M. M., Neto, M. R., & Rodríguez, M. D. L. R. L. Seguridad de la toma de infusiones herbales en el embarazo: manzanilla, valeriana, tila, té y menta-poleo, 2017.
- Neha K., Haider MR., Pathak A., Shahar Yar M., Medicinal prospects of antioxidants: a review. Eur J Med Chem, 2019. 178: 687-704.
- Li J., Zhao H., Song JM., Zhang J., et al., A meta analysis of risk of pregnancy loss and caffeine and coffee consumption during pregnancy. Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 2015. 130 (2): 116-22.
