Safe usage of green tea in pregnancy:
The benefits and usage of green tea might not be unknown to you. However, at times, with organic products, it is seen that what is generally safe for one aspect of health might be unsafe if the conditions are changed. Same is the case with green tea. A tea, that is herbal, benefits your health, gives you nutrients, fights off cancer and helps you lose that excessive fat, might not seem as beneficial to you when you use it during pregnancy. This is what the studies actually say about green tea and its usage during pregnancy.
It is quite unfortunate that during the nine months of pregnancy, you will have to forgo the benefits of this amazing herbal tea. This is so because green tea is known to block certain chemicals in the body and enzymes in the body which are essential for the nervous system development of the fetus. The blockage of these chemicals can lead to long term neural and mental defects in the child.
The compound ECGC which is contained in green tea is basically the same compound that helps you ward off cancer. However, during pregnancy, this compound tends to deactivate an enzyme DHFR – dihydro folate reductase, which is essential to convert folate into folic acid that is then utilized by the fetus. Folic acid, when utilized by the fetus helps to aid in the growth of neural tube and central nervous system components such as the brain and the spinal cord. Lack of folic acid, caused by the inactivity of the enzyme DHFR due to ECGC in green tea, can therefore lead to an array of defects that can occur in your unborn child. These defects include the incomplete formation of the neural tube, spinal cord and the brain which can even lead to quite complex defects in your newborn.
Studies still tend to point out that green tea provides the body with iron, magnesium and calcium and helps to manage weight in the pregnant woman. It is also documented that if taken in moderation, green tea might not be as harmful to the body as it is proved to be.
Studies show that a consumption of 2 to 4 cups of green tea can be more than enough for the pregnant woman. Consuming more than 4 cups daily can be harmful. The calculated risk is not as much from caffeine as it is from the compound ECGC.
Therefore, it is best advisable that one should refer to their consultant physician while going for green tea usage. It is also important to bear in mind the harmful consequences of green tea usage. So, it is much better to forgo green tea during pregnancy in order to be able to give the safety that your unborn needs. You can enjoy your green tea after delivering your child safely. For any further information, contact and follow your physician’s advice as they know what is best for you and your baby.
