When women experience pregnancy, they often have concerns about the safety of consuming Matcha. Is Matcha Safe During Pregnancy? Matcha Boba Tea is becoming increasingly popular, being made frothy by the addition of milk and sugar to green tea. Typically served cold, this drink is made using milk and ground green tea leaves. Matcha powder is incorporated into the mixture before shaking the milk to create foam on top of the beverage. Although this tea gained popularity in Japan during the 1990s, it can now be found worldwide.
Many individuals are curious about whether Matcha Green Tea is safe for pregnant women. It is important to consult with a doctor before trying any new products such as Matcha. During the first few months of pregnancy, it is recommended that pregnant women avoid Matcha lattes and other stimulant drinks. Pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake to 300mg per day, although some experts suggest a limit of 200mg per day.
What is Matcha?
Matcha is a powdered form of Japanese green tea that is available. It is made from finely ground leaves of East Asian green tea, which is grown and prepared in a unique way that distinguishes it from regular green tea.
To produce Matcha, the green tea leaves are shaded for up to 30 days prior to harvest, resulting in increased levels of chlorophyll and amino acids. The leaves are then harvested and ground in stone mills to remove the stems and veins, resulting in a bright green powder that is the Matcha.
Is Matcha Safe During Pregnancy?
It is widely accepted that drinking green tea in moderation during pregnancy does not pose a significant risk to the mother or the unborn child. However, excessive consumption can carry certain risks. Furthermore, the timing of green tea consumption can have an impact on the absorption of vital nutrients that are necessary for a healthy pregnancy.
Although there have not been many studies specifically examining the effects of matcha consumption during pregnancy and lactation, recent research has explored the effects of common green tea compounds on pregnant women.
Matcha tea is rich in chlorophyll, theanine, and catechins, which offer numerous health benefits for pregnant women and beyond. Matcha is also packed with polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that help to reduce inflammation and improve physical and mental health.
If consumed in moderation throughout pregnancy, matcha can have positive effects on both the mother and the unborn child, as is generally agreed upon. Let us take a closer look at the benefits of matcha during pregnancy!
If Matcha Safe During Pregnancy then How Much Matcha Can You Drink When Pregnant?
During pregnancy, it is safe to consume matcha in small quantities of up to three cups. This amount is recommended to ensure that essential nutrients are not being missed out on, while also preventing excessive caffeine intake.
As per the earlier mentioned studies, moderate consumption of matcha is considered safe. Researchers determined that less than four cups per day was considered moderate, taking into account the levels of folate, iron interference, and caffeine present in matcha.
It should be kept in mind that matcha has higher caffeine content compared to most other beverages. Matcha contains between 18.9 to 44.4 mg of caffeine per gram, while other green teas contain 11 to 25 mg of caffeine per gram. The general medical advice for pregnant women is to limit caffeine intake to 200 mg per day. Due to the folate and iron absorption properties of tea, this limit allows for the consumption of more tea per day than recommended, whereas coffee contains 10 to 12 mg of caffeine per gram.
Is Matcha Safe During Pregnancy? Are there any Benefits?
Despite a few drawbacks, green tea has numerous benefits, especially for pregnant women who are at risk of inflammation. Antioxidants, which can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, certain cancers, stroke, and bone loss, are present in both matcha and other green teas.
Catechins, a type of polyphenolic compound found in tea, have similar antioxidant properties. However, they can also interfere with the absorption of folate. Therefore, while tea has its benefits, moderation is crucial for a healthy diet.
Matcha green tea contains various phytochemicals that offer several benefits for pregnant women. These include vitamin C, catechins, rutin, theanine, quercetin, and other beneficial compounds.
The phytochemicals in matcha green tea provide many advantages for pregnant women, such as:
Boost The Immune System
Giving extra attention to your immune system is crucial during pregnancy as your body works hard to protect you and your baby from illnesses. Matcha is a natural way to boost your immune system.
A study found that matcha can help increase the production of immune cells. The study found that individuals who consumed matcha had a higher concentration of immune cells in their blood. The study also found that matcha was able to increase the activity of these immune cells.
Helps To Improve Digestion
Matcha contains polyphenols, which are a type of antioxidant that can help with digestion. This is crucial for pregnant women as it may aid in preventing constipation and other digestive system issues.
Help To Increase Energy Levels
Matcha’s caffeine content can provide an energy boost to individuals. However, it also contains L-theanine, which can mitigate the effects of caffeine and make you feel more alert without experiencing jitters.
Help Keep Blood Sugar Under Control
Were you aware that matcha is an excellent means of regulating blood sugar levels? Pregnant women may safely consume matcha, so there is no need for concern. This is due to the presence of EGCG, a novel antioxidant that has been shown to aid in the regulation of blood sugar levels. Consider adding matcha to your diet for a natural approach to keeping your blood sugar in check!
Help To Prevent Morning Sickness
As any woman who has been pregnant can attest, morning sickness can be a difficult experience. It can make you feel fatigued and nauseous, and it can sometimes be so severe that you struggle to even drink water. If you’re having trouble with morning sickness, consider trying matcha. Matcha is a type of green tea that is rich in antioxidants and nutrients and can help combat nausea.
Alleviates Mood Swings
Mood swings are a common symptom of pregnancy and can be caused by various factors. Matcha may help alleviate them due to its high levels of L-Theanine. This amino acid is known to enhance focus and attention while promoting relaxation without causing drowsiness. As a result, it can help you feel more balanced and less stressed.
A Good Source Of Vitamin C
Matcha contains a significant amount of vitamin C, which is essential for pregnant women. Vitamin C helps with iron absorption and provides protection against infection.
Reduces The Risk Of Birth Defects
Folate is an essential nutrient for pregnant women as it may reduce the risk of congenital disabilities. Matcha is an excellent source of folate, making it a great beverage for expectant mothers.
Is Matcha Safe During Pregnancy? What are the Risks of Matcha During Pregnancy
While matcha does contain several compounds that improve health, are any of these compounds potentially harmful to you and your baby? You can determine whether drinking matcha while pregnant is safe by examining how other green teas affect the absorption of vital nutrients during pregnancy.
Decreases iron Absorption
Green tea, including matcha tea, may reduce the absorption of iron, which can lead to iron-deficiency anemia when consumed in large quantities during pregnancy.
Previously, it was believed that polyphenolic compounds in tea only impacted non-heme iron absorption. However, recent studies have shown that these compounds can affect both heme and non-heme iron absorption.
If you are at risk for iron-deficiency anemia during pregnancy, it is advisable to consult your doctor about taking additional iron supplements and consuming matcha tea in moderation between meals. Avoid taking supplements without medical advice.
Inhibits Absorption of Folate
Folate is an essential nutrient throughout pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester. Consumption of folic acid has been shown to decrease the risk of birth defects, including neural tube defects and spina bifida. This nutrient is crucial to ensure your baby develops fully and without complications before birth.
Catechin, a potent antioxidant found in green tea, can reduce the biological availability of folate. Women who drank more than four cups of green tea per day were found to have lower serum folate levels in one study, increasing the likelihood that their children would be born with birth defects.
Take a prenatal vitamin that contains enough folate to help lower your risk of neural tube defects and folate deficiency. Furthermore, taking your prenatal supplement separately from drinking your matcha tea reduces your risk of inhibiting folate absorption.
Caffeine Content
It is widely known that caffeine can pass through the placenta to the baby during pregnancy. Caffeine is present in coffee, tea, and certain foods. Current guidelines suggest consuming 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine per day during pregnancy. Recent studies suggest that consuming no amount of caffeine during pregnancy may be safe.
Matcha tea typically contains 18–44 mg of caffeine per gram, which is higher than the caffeine content of other green teas due to its higher concentration. One cup or 2-4 grams of matcha tea contains between 36 and 176 milligrams of caffeine.
Interesting Facts about Matcha
Now that you are aware of the benefits of matcha and its safety for consumption during pregnancy, it is important to understand that its consumption should be limited. It is recommended to consult your doctor before incorporating matcha into your diet, especially during pregnancy.
You Ingest Leaves of Matcha Tea
The only green tea that can be consumed by ingesting the leaves in tea is matcha. Although the leaves are powdered and finely ground, it is safe to drink them. When preparing matcha tea, consider the following steps:
- Boil water over high heat. You can use tap or spring water according to your preference.
- Add a teaspoon of matcha tea to a cup.
- Create a paste by adding a few drops of water.
- Gradually add more water to the paste until it reaches your desired taste.
Before adding water, some people prefer to sift the matcha tea. Others may choose to make the tea with milk. You can follow the instructions on the package or inquire about the best matcha tea maker in your area.
You Can Use Matcha for Different Things
Yes, that is correct. Matcha is not only for preparing tea, as it can be used in a variety of ways.
For example:
- It can be added to smoothies. Next time you make a smoothie, try adding Matcha green tea powder to see how the flavor changes.
- It can also be used to make popsicles. Homemade popsicles made with Matcha would be a hit with your family.
- It can even be incorporated into salad dressings. Add a small amount to taste and adjust the flavors to your liking.
- You can even make a Matcha face mask at home.
Matcha Tea Gives You A Relaxed Energy Boost
Health Line states that drinking coffee can provide an immediate energy boost, whereas Matcha tea can offer a more gradual increase in energy levels.
Matcha tea contains both caffeine and L-theanine. The consumption of caffeine is ideal for boosting energy levels, while L-theanine increases alpha brain waves. Matcha tea is an excellent option because it can make you feel alert yet calm when feeling tired and sluggish. If you want to feel relaxed, have a cup of Matcha tea. You will see outstanding results.