The first semester of pregnancy can be a jumble of emotions and exciting events. Your hormones are surging as your baby is starting to develop. You may be elated emotionally but feel rotten physically. If you enjoy a daily cup of green tea, you may wish to switch to a decaffeinated version. Like many aspects of pregnancy, there are pros and cons to drinking decaf green tea during the early days of gestation.
Caffeine Content
The term "decaffeinated" means that caffeine has been removed, but in fact a small amount of the stimulant remains in green tea. The American Pregnancy Association estimates that full-strength, caffeinated green tea contains between 40 and 50 mg of caffeine per cup. The decaf version contains trace amounts, or about 0.4 mg per 8 oz. The March of Dimes recommends that women limit their caffeine intake to less than 200 mg daily throughout their entire pregnancy. Therefore, most women in their first trimester of pregnancy may be able to enjoy decaffeinated green tea in small doses, under the supervision of their doctor.
Anti-Folate Activity
Large quantities of green tea may compromise the effectiveness of folate, or folic acid, according to a March 2005 issue of "Cancer Research." Folic acid is a B-complex vitamin that helps protect developing fetuses from neural tube defects. Neural tube defects affect the normal development of the baby's spine and are most likely to occur during the first trimester of pregnancy. The American Pregnancy Association recommends that women who are trying to conceive take 400 mcg of folate daily and continue this dosage until delivery. The amount of green tea that a woman would need to drink in the first trimester to reduce the benefits of folic acid is not identified in the journal; speak to your doctor to determine how much decaffeinated green tea is safe for you to drink while taking folate.
Blood Pressure Link
If you doctor has determined that you are getting enough folate and your enjoyment of green tea does not pose a risk to your unborn child, you may also benefit from the beverage in a different way. Researchers from Taiwan's National Cheng Kung University reported in the July 2004 issue of the "Archives of Internal Medicine" that green tea can help stabilize your blood pressure. Drinking at least 120 ml of green tea for periods of one year of longer may protect you against hypertension, which is healthier for your baby as well.
Considerations
Each woman's pregnancy is unique and while there are many guidelines, they are not always one size fits all. Only you and your obstetrician are aware of your medical history and your specific risks. Once you realize you are pregnant, have a conversation with your doctor about the foods and beverages you enjoy, including decaf green tea. Determining what kind of diet you will need to follow will keep you and your developing baby healthy.
References
- American Pregnancy Association; Drinking Herbal Tea During Pregnancy; June 2011
- American Pregnancy Association; Caffeine Intake During Pregnancy; March 2011
- "Archives of Internal Medicine"; The Protective Effect of Habitual Tea Consumption on Hypertension; Y. Yang et al.; July 2004
- American Pregnancy Association; Folic Acid; June 2011
- "Cancer Research"; The Antifolate Activity of Tea Catechins; Enma Navarro-Perán et al.; March 2005
