11. Are There Any Side Effects Of Drinking Green Tea While Pregnant?
Along with the benefits, green tea can also cause some side effects if consumed in excess.
Consumption of excessive amounts of green tea may affect the iron absorption ability of red blood cells. It can, therefore, lead to gestational anemia, hampering the oxygen and nutrient supply to the baby.
Green tea might inhibit absorption of folic acid, which is very important during pregnancy. Folic acid is essential during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy to prevent neural birth defects in babies.
With a progressing pregnancy, the body’s ability to break down caffeine decreases. So excess green tea consumption might interfere with the sleep patterns and alertness, and also increases the risk of adverse effects in pregnancy.
12. Tips For Drinking Green Tea While Pregnant
Here are a few things to remember while having green tea:
Do not drink on an empty stomach because green tea contains tannins that may cause acidity, further leading to nausea, constipation, and stomachache.
Do not have it along with meals as it may dilute the gastric juices and hampers the absorption of iron from food. This may lead to iron deficiency.
Maintain a gap of at least two hours between meals and green tea.
Do not have more than two cups of green tea a day.
Do not drink green tea before bedtime or late afternoon as it might affect your sleep.
Buy a properly packaged tea from a reputable brand or seller.
Use filtered water to make green tea.