Green tea contains antioxidants that have been found to help prevent cancer, weight gain, and other medical conditions. But before drinking green tea during pregnancy, you should know there are some risks associated with drinking herbal teas. As with any drink that has caffeine, one of the risks reported is neural tube defect, which is a serious birth defect caused by insufficient folic acid (folate) in a woman’s diet before and during pregnancy. However, one cannot ignore the health benefits pregnant women can gain from drinking green tea; therefore, they should drink it no more than 1 cup a day to avoid risks while reaping its benefits.
Lower Blood Sugar
Pregnant women are prone to developing diabetes, particularly gestational diabetes. The placenta produces hormones that help sustain the mother and baby during pregnancy. The hormones produced make cells resistant to insulin. The more hormones a pregnant woman’s body produces, the more difficult it becomes for insulin to take up glucose (blood sugar), resulting in elevated blood sugar.
According to a 2008 article from the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), green tea can help regulate blood sugar. Animal studies suggest that green tea may help prevent the development of type 1 diabetes and slow its progression once it has developed.
Lower Cholesterol
As a pregnant woman’s appetite increases to sustain herself and the baby, her blood cholesterol may also rise. This can result to a life-threatening preeclampsia, a condition wherein the pregnant woman develops abnormally high blood pressure. Preeclampsia can threaten the lives of the mother and child.
The article published by the UMMC also mentions that green tea lowers total cholesterol and raises HDL (high-density lipoprotein), also known as “good” cholesterol, in both animals and people. The polyphenols found in green tea can help block intestinal absorption of LDL (low-density lipoprotein), or “bad” cholesterol, and promote its excretion from the body.
Prevent Gum Infection
Pregnant women may suffer from periodontal disease, which can lead to the appearance of a large lump on the inflamed gum tissue. This lump is non-cancerous and appears near the gum line. This lump can make it difficult to speak and eat.
According to a study published March 13, 2009, by Science Daily, green tea can prevent gum disease because of its anti-inflammatory properties.
By drinking a cup of green tea daily, pregnant women can improve their dental health and help reduce their risk of gum disease.
