If you are a tea lover, it’s hard to resist the urge of drinking it despite knowing that consumption of caffeine should be strictly limited during pregnancy.
No matter if you love adrak wali chai or a cup of herbal tea, all of them have some amount of caffeine in them.
Here is a list of teas that you should not consume during pregnancy.
Herbal teas to be avoided during pregnancy
Some teas are too high in caffeine and thus should be restricted during pregnancy. Here is a list of teas you must avoid drinking during pregnancy.
1. Green/matcha tea (Green tea has high amounts of caffeine and reduces folate absorption. But if you’re a green tea addict, limit your intake to one cup a day.)
2. Lichee tea
3. Anise tea
4. Aloe vera tea
5. Barberry tea
6. Chamomile tea
7. Ginseng tea
8. Hibiscus tea
9. Kava tea
10. Lemongrass tea
Herbal tea during pregnancy
Mostly herbal teas are very safe to be consumed during pregnancy. But this is only till the recommended dose is not exceeded. Though teas have additional benefits during pregnancy but there are some that should be completely avoided.
Benefits of drinking tea during pregnancy
Choosing herbal tea over other caffeinated beverages is a wise choice, especially when you are pregnant. Caffeinated drinks have a diuretic effect, which reduce the nutrient absorption and depletes the adrenal glands. While herbal teas, on the other hand, are hydrating and provide your body with antioxidants. Herbal teas are rich in Vitamin C, which helps manage stress and anxiety. Some herbal teas also help in reducing morning sickness and prepare the uterus for labour.
Teas to avoid during pregnancy
According to studies, consuming more than 200 mg of caffeine during pregnancy has been directly linked with low birth weight. Caffeine is easily absorbed and crosses the placenta freely. Ingesting more than 200 mg of caffeine reduces the blood flow in placenta by 25 per cent. Caffeine also extends the length of pregnancy by 5 hours per 100 mg. And if you are a coffee drinker, the length of pregnancy becomes even longer.
