Safe Tea Consumption During Pregnancy: How Much is Too Much?

Tea, also called Camellia sinensis, belongs to the family Theaceae. The tea plant is a source of several tea varieties, such as blue, green, white and oolong, all of which are very popularly consumed. These kinds of plants are usually found in cooler climates. Tea is prepared by boiling fresh water, adding young leaves and leaf buds and then letting them settle for a while.  

Different combinations of various plant metabolites, such as catechins, polyphenols, theanine and volatile compounds, among others, are responsible for the specific taste, smell and potential health benefits of tea.

What is caffeine, and how does it impact pregnancy?

Caffeine is a natural stimulant that increases heart rate and raises blood pressure. It also acts as a diuretic, which means it may cause you to urinate more often.  

Because your baby gets nutrients from what you consume, it absorbs the caffeine you take in. If caffeine keeps you awake, it can also keep your baby active. It can affect their sleep and movement patterns in the womb. Excessive caffeine intake has been linked to many pregnancy complications, including low birth weight, stillbirth and miscarriage.

Is it safe to drink tea during pregnancy?

Most caffeinated teas are considered safe to enjoy during pregnancy as long as they do not cause your total daily caffeine intake to exceed 300 mg. Caffeine-sensitive women should limit their intake to 100 mg per day.

There is limited research on the effects of herbal teas during pregnancy. So, most health experts recommend that pregnant women avoid consuming herbs in amounts larger than what is typically found in foods.

Some studies suggest that herbal teas with the following ingredients may be safe to drink during pregnancy:

• Raspberry leaf: This tea is generally considered safe and is thought to help prepare the uterus for childbirth and potentially shorten labour. Studies indicate that it may reduce the duration of the second stage of labour, though the difference is typically only about 10 minutes.
• Peppermint: This tea is generally considered safe and is commonly used to help soothe symptoms like gas, nausea, stomach discomfort and heartburn.
• Ginger: It is one of the most researched herbal remedies during pregnancy and is considered possibly safe. Studies suggest it can help reduce nausea and vomiting, but when consumed in dried form, it should not exceed 1 gram per day.
• Lemon balm: This tea is considered possibly safe and is often used to help ease anxiety, irritability and insomnia.

While generally considered safe, raspberry leaf may stimulate uterine contractions, and peppermint could encourage menstrual flow. As a result, there is some debate about whether these teas are safe during the first trimester of pregnancy. It might be best to avoid drinking these teas during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Pregnant women should inform their healthcare providers about any herbal teas they are currently drinking or considering consuming during pregnancy, as some herbal teas may contain compounds that could interact with medications.

Because there is limited research on the safety of herbal teas during pregnancy, just because there is no evidence of harm does not mean the tea is necessarily safe to drink. Until more is known, pregnant women should avoid any herbal teas that are not safe.

Conclusion

Although tea is widely enjoyed, not all varieties are considered safe during pregnancy. Caffeinated teas such as black, green, white, matcha and chai are generally considered safe in moderation, though it is important to limit intake to avoid excessive caffeine consumption. Most herbal teas should be avoided, except for raspberry leaf, peppermint, ginger and lemon balm. However, it is recommended to avoid raspberry leaf and peppermint teas during the first trimester of pregnancy for added safety.