Is Black Tea Safe During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a time of making choices – what to eat, which medications to take and which activities to do. Women can be understandably confused about which beverages are safe and healthy to enjoy while they’re expecting. One of the top questions expecting mothers have is “Is black tea safe during pregnancy?”
Benefits of Consuming Black Tea During Pregnancy
Black tea, also known as English breakfast tea, is rich in antioxidants that can help protect your body, including:
- Flavonoids: these reduce inflammation and oxidative stress
- Theanine: an amino acid that promotes relaxation
- Polyphenols: compounds that may protect the body against heart disease
Not only is black tea low in caffeine, it may share some key benefits for pregnant women which include increasing iron absorption, fighting bad breath and improving concentration.
Caffeine Intake
Black tea does contain caffeine, so have an understanding of your individual caffeine limits. It is recommended that pregnant women limit their caffeine intake to 200 milligrams (mg) per day. Most cups of black tea contain an average of 47 mg of caffeine per cup, so if you’re drinking black tea during pregnancy you’ll want to be mindful of not surpassing that 200 mg per day.
Advantages of Decaffeinated Varieties
If you’re looking to enjoy black tea but don’t want the caffeine intake, opting for a decaffeinated variety such as green tea or white tea is the best choice. Both can offer the same beneficial properties but without the caffeine.
Conclusion
Overall, having moderate amounts of black tea during pregnancy can be beneficial. However, it is important to be mindful of the caffeine content and make sure you’re not exceeding the recommended 200 mg of caffeine per day. Additionally, decaffeinated varieties are an excellent option for expecting mothers.
