Green tea in pregnancy

The recent popularity of green tea is justified by its beneficial properties. It is the beneficial properties of green tea and the large amount of antioxidants and microelements it contains that explains the general preference for green tea over black tea. A woman's pregnancy certainly requires a change in her usual lifestyle and diet in particular, and sometimes even a refusal of some products, due to the responsibility that has arisen for the safe development of the fetus and the successful birth of the child. All this stimulates a more serious attitude of the pregnant woman to the choice of food and drinks.

Pregnant fans of green tea, sooner or later, ask themselves the question - can I drink green tea during pregnancy? Special methods of processing green tea allow preserving as many substances and microelements as possible, which ensures its great usefulness. But green tea during pregnancy should be consumed very sparingly, and this is explained by a number of scientifically proven reasons. It has long been known that green tea contains the maximum caffeine content of all caffeine-containing products and drinks. As is known, caffeine contributes to an increase in blood pressure and heart rate.

Uncontrolled consumption of green tea during pregnancy can be especially dangerous in the second trimester of pregnancy, in addition, caffeine can affect the development of the fetus, slowing down its formation and development. It is possible to increase the likelihood of premature pregnancy. The caffeine content in green tea is necessary for calculating the total amount of caffeine consumed per day. The scientifically proven maximum dose of caffeine, safe for both the expectant mother and the child, is no more than 200 ml per day. This is about four cups of green tea. But when calculating the total amount of caffeine, take into account other possible sources of its intake into the body. Experts have calculated that a woman drinking green tea during pregnancy, without harm to herself and the child, with maximum benefit, is enough to drink two glasses per day.

Another significant point confirming the limited consumption of green tea during pregnancy is a scientific study confirming that green tea reduces the activity of folic acid as a chemical element. Folic acid is an important element during pregnancy, participating in the formation and development of the fetus. Accordingly, with a decrease in the activity of folic acid, the risk of developing all sorts of deviations in the development of the fetus increases. Again, all this is possible if a woman drinks green tea uncontrollably and without restrictions during pregnancy.

Drinking green tea by a pregnant woman within two glasses per day will provide the maximum amount of useful substances. After all, green tea is the leader in the content of antioxidants that strengthen and rejuvenate the body. But the composition of green tea is not limited to the presence of antioxidants, it also contains a large amount of useful microelements, for example, zinc, magnesium, calcium, iron. Beneficial effects on the entire body, stabilization of blood pressure, improvement of the cardiovascular system, normalization of sugar and cholesterol levels in the blood, strengthening of the immune system - all these are the miraculous properties of green tea. Also, when drinking green tea during pregnancy, its usefulness for the condition of teeth and bones is very important. A glass of green tea will help neutralize the symptoms of toxicosis during pregnancy. Again, it will not be superfluous to remind you to comply with the norm of daily consumption of green tea during pregnancy. During pregnancy, it is not recommended to drink green tea immediately after meals or during meals, since when mixed with food, green tea does not have the best effect on its absorption in the stomach. Green tea has a strong diuretic effect and therefore its use during pregnancy entails an increase in the load on the kidneys. This must be taken into account if the pregnant woman has complications with the kidneys or cystitis. So, having weighed all the pros and cons, we can conclude that green tea during pregnancy in limited quantities will benefit both the woman and the future child.

Properties of green tea

The beneficial properties of green tea have been known since ancient times. Green tea is, so to speak, a treasure trove of many vitamins and microelements that tone and have a beneficial effect on the human body as a whole. The universal love and popularity of green tea is explained by the tonic effect it has on the body, due to the caffeine it contains. It is very important that the caffeine contained in green tea leaves has a much softer effect on the body than the caffeine found in coffee or other caffeine-containing products. Caffeine in combination with tannin has a stimulating effect on the productive activity of the brain and improves human well-being. The ability to slow down the aging process is explained by the large number of antioxidants in green tea. This explains the high life expectancy and excellent health of residents of China and other southeastern countries, where green tea is already an integral part of the national culture.

The content of ascorbic acid in green tea significantly exceeds the content in citrus fruits, which cannot but affect the usefulness of green tea. The ability of green tea to neutralize the negative impact of computer equipment and other electromagnetic radiation is widely known. Numerous scientific studies confirm the ability of green tea to prevent the possibility of malignant tumors, stabilize human blood composition to an optimal level, reducing sugar and cholesterol levels.

Scientific research into the beneficial properties of green tea continues to this day and experts do not rule out the possibility of new sensational discoveries, since green tea contains more than three hundred different microelements, the beneficial effects of which on the human body have yet to be fully studied.

The ability of green tea to strengthen the human immune system, activate cardiac activity, improve sleep, and strengthen the nervous system is scientifically proven. Increased sexual energy is also considered by experts to be one of the beneficial properties of green tea. Many diets include green tea in their diet in order to successfully reduce excess weight. A more extensive study of the antitumor and antiradiation properties of green tea is yet to be done by experts, but the fact that green tea has excellent preventive properties for these diseases is an indisputable fact. Most likely, the preventive properties of green tea are explained by the ability to strengthen the immune system and purify the blood. The antiradiation properties of green tea have been known since the time of the explosions in Hiroshima, whose residents not only survived the explosions and successfully cured radiation sickness. In general, Japanese green tea absorbs and removes strontium from the body, even in cases of its deposition in the bones.

A modern person living in a metropolis needs to drink green tea, the healing properties of which will help cope with daily stress and the harmful effects of the environment. In addition to stabilizing the functioning of the entire body, green tea is a powerful spiritual stimulant, which has been an integral part of the culture of Eastern peoples for thousands of years. It is green tea that is used in tea ceremonies in China and Japan. The soft effect of the properties of green tea has a psychostimulating effect on the entire body. Regular consumption of green tea increases the sensitivity of the nervous system, helps to increase the speed of human reaction, accelerate the thought process, and enhance concentration.

Benefits of Green Tea During Pregnancy

The benefits of green tea during pregnancy, as shown by numerous scientific studies, are indisputable for both the woman and the child, if consumption does not exceed two glasses per day and does not cause negative reactions. As practice shows, most women experience gum disease during pregnancy. In this case, green tea, which contains a large amount of substances that prevent inflammatory processes in the body of a pregnant woman, helps maintain the health of gums and teeth.

During pregnancy, problems with blood sugar levels often arise due to an increase in the amount of hormones in the woman's body and insulin instability. As a result, gestational diabetes develops, which is extremely unfavorable for the child. Elevated blood sugar levels in a pregnant woman increase the likelihood of obesity in the child and the risk of type 2 diabetes. Green tea has powerful stabilizing properties for human blood sugar levels. It is quite natural that experts recommend green tea during pregnancy to prevent increased blood sugar levels, especially for women prone to blood diseases.

During the entire period of bearing a child, a woman is contraindicated to use many antibiotics. Green tea during pregnancy functions as a "natural" antibiotic and very actively eliminates inflammatory processes and various infections in the body, due to the content of a large number of antioxidants. Green tea antioxidants help strengthen the immune system and improve the general condition of the human body.

As is known, the nutrition of a pregnant woman is the basis for the successful development of the fetus and successful delivery. As a rule, the cholesterol level in the blood of most women increases during pregnancy due to the doubled norm of food consumption, which leads to an increase in blood pressure. Drinking green tea helps regulate cholesterol levels in the blood and stabilize blood pressure in general.

Increased nutrition during pregnancy provokes problems with the digestive system and abnormal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Drinking green tea during pregnancy significantly reduces the likelihood of such symptoms.

Considering all the above facts, we can say that the benefits of green tea during pregnancy significantly improve the condition of the woman and the future child, but with the obligatory condition of observing the permissible amount of consumption. In general, regular consumption of green tea for several years helps to improve the general condition of the woman's body and the favorable birth of a healthy child.

Harm of green tea during pregnancy

Despite the many facts about its benefits, it is worth remembering that under certain conditions, green tea may be harmful during pregnancy. The relatively small amount of caffeine in one cup of green tea, about 15 mg, with regular uncontrolled consumption by a pregnant woman, can provoke serious health problems for the unborn child. In some cases, the child is born with insufficient weight, and in some cases, premature birth is possible.

There are known cases when the harm of green tea during pregnancy in the first months had very serious consequences for the development of the fetus and even the likelihood of miscarriage, due to the destruction of the structure of folic acid by the active components of green tea, which contributes to the proper development of the fetus. Antioxidants contained in green tea in large quantities actively contribute to strengthening the immune system and heart function, but at the same time destroy the structure of folic acid molecules, which is very necessary for a pregnant woman for the normal development of the unborn child and its successful birth. The recommended rate of consumption of green tea during the first trimester of pregnancy is one to two cups per day. The consumption rate can be increased, in the absence of complications during the course of pregnancy, to three to four cups in the further period of pregnancy.

Summing up all the facts about the benefits and harms of green tea during pregnancy, we can conclude that with controlled use, its benefits are obvious, and, conversely, excessive consumption is unsafe for both the woman and the child. When choosing green tea, a pregnant woman must take into account the level of caffeine in different varieties and give preference to varieties with a low content.

Reviews of green tea during pregnancy

Numerous reviews of green tea during pregnancy can be divided into supporters of drinking green tea and opponents of its use. This is understandable - so many people, so many opinions. Despite this, most reviews agree that green tea can be consumed during pregnancy without causing harm to both the child and the woman, but in an amount of no more than two glasses per day. The daily dose of caffeine contained in products consumed by a pregnant woman should not exceed 200 mg, this must be taken into account due to the fact that caffeine in large quantities negatively affects the development of the fetus and the condition of the woman. With moderate consumption of green tea, a pregnant woman gets a boost of energy.

Natural antioxidants of green tea stabilize the cardiovascular system and blood pressure, strengthen the immune system of a pregnant woman. Calcium helps to strengthen bone tissue and teeth, which is also very important during pregnancy. The property of green tea to neutralize folic acid is, of course, the main fact against its use during pregnancy, because a lack of folic acid provokes severe pathologies of the child. However, today experts do not prohibit moderate consumption of green tea during pregnancy. Most reviews of green tea during pregnancy contain recommendations for drinking the drink, so we can draw conclusions about its many pregnant connoisseurs.

Drinking green tea with honey and milk is certainly tasty and healthy, but it has a peculiarity - honey at high temperatures becomes a carcinogen, which is extremely undesirable during pregnancy, so the tea must be cooled before drinking. And in combination with lemon, mint or ginger - green tea will bring not only pleasure from the taste, but also significant benefits to the body of a pregnant woman. Reviews of green tea are the opinions of different people, which are not always objective, so when making a diet for a pregnant woman, first of all, you need to listen to your body and the advice of a professional specialist.