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Is Matcha Good for Pregnancy? 12 Reasons Matcha Is Great For You

Is matcha good for pregnancy

Pregnant women need to limit caffeine intake. Everything they consume goes to their developing baby as well. 

If you enjoy matcha green tea, you may wonder, is matcha good for pregnancy?

Over the years, matcha has become a popular beverage with tea drinkers. Many coffee drinkers have even swapped their regular cups of java for matcha. 

Today, we will discuss whether drinking this popular green beverage while pregnant is still okay. Learn more about matcha’s risks and health benefits during pregnancy below.

What Is Matcha?

Before we get into the topic of drinking matcha during pregnancy, we should cover what this drink is. 

You’ve likely seen it in the tea section at the grocery market. This is because matcha is a form of green tea.

However, matcha green tea powder is different from the green tea you may be used to drinking because the tea comes from shade-grown leaves. Once these leaves have been harvested, they will be ground into a fine powder.

Is Matcha Good for Pregnancy?

As long as you drink matcha tea in moderation, it’s terrific to consume while pregnant. Matcha green tea has a lot of health benefits, which we’ll go into more detail about below.

It is suitable for pregnant women because it contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This can help pregnant women feel good and strengthen their immune systems to help combat cold and flu season.

If you’re a coffee drinker who is now pregnant, you can benefit from getting your caffeine intake through matcha.

You will still get that boost of energy that caffeine provides. However, matcha contains less caffeine, making it a safer choice for pregnant women than coffee.

Pregnancy Nutrition Course

Is Matcha Safe During Pregnancy?

Yes, matcha green tea is safe for pregnant women to drink. As mentioned above, the key is to consume it in moderate amounts. 

One cup of matcha tea contains approximately 35 mg of caffeine. This is well below the recommended maximum caffeine intake for pregnant women, which is 200 mg daily.

How Much Matcha Is Safe To Drink During Pregnancy?

How much matcha a pregnant woman can consume depends on her diet. Most pregnant women can drink 1 to 2 cups of matcha per day. 

However, the other sources of caffeine consumption in the expecting mother’s diet will affect how much she can drink.

It’s highly recommended that women stick to a healthy pregnancy diet. This includes paying attention to what you’re eating and drinking so you don’t consume too much of anything.

Caffeine can be found in other green teas, coffee, lattes, soft drinks, and chocolate. You may have to limit your matcha intake if you consume any of these items.

Are There Risks of Drinking Matcha Tea While Pregnant?

As long as you stick to the recommended amount of matcha, there shouldn’t be any issues. However, problems may occur if you drink too much matcha regularly.

One thing that can occur from consuming more than the recommended amount of matcha is a headache. This is usually the first sign that you’ve had too much caffeine. Other problems that may occur include:

  • Mood swings
  • Insomnia
  • Stomach discomfort
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Change in heart rhythm
  • High blood pressure

There is concern that excessive caffeine consumption could put pregnant women at risk of preterm deliveries or result in pregnancy loss. However, there isn’t enough evidence to support how accurate this claim is.

Is matcha good for pregnancy

What Can Happen If a Pregnant Woman Drinks Too Much Matcha?

It’s normal for pregnant women to feel exhausted. That’s why an expecting mother may need the help of a caffeinated beverage to get her by.

A pregnant woman will rarely experience any serious health complications if she only has too much matcha one day. Any complication due to caffeine usually occurs when drinking too much regularly or other underlying medical conditions.

However, this doesn’t mean an expectant mother won’t feel side effects from having too much matcha, even if it’s just once. 

If a woman does drink more than the recommended amount best matcha, she could start to feel anxious and jittery. The caffeine consumption may even leave her feeling restless and unable to get a good night’s rest.

Benefits of Matcha During Pregnancy

Drinking a cup of matcha green tea each morning has a lot of benefits for pregnant women. However, you don’t have to be pregnant to benefit from how healthy this green drink is. 

Let’s review some of the main reasons this drink should be part of your pregnancy diet.

1. Energy Boost

There is a surge of changing hormones in a pregnant woman’s body. This can leave her feeling tired more frequently. 

The full caffeine content and nutrient in matcha green tea give women a natural boost of energy to help them get through the day.

2. Natural Anti-inflammatory Effects

One of the best things about matcha tea during pregnancy is that it contains natural anti-inflammatory properties called flavonoids

The flavonoids can be especially helpful for pregnant women experiencing swelling. It may also help relieve some of the discomfort brought on by pregnancy.

3. Relieve Morning Sickness

The natural flavonoids in matcha can also help women manage morning sickness. We highly recommend including matcha tea in your early pregnancy diet to avoid morning sickness.

However, matcha tea does have a very earthy flavor. If the aroma makes your stomach upset, we strongly recommend drinking it over ice. 

There is also the option to purchase flavored matcha from specialty tea shops. The flavors are known to make the earthy flavor less noticeable.

Is matcha good for pregnancy

4. Great Source of Nutrients

The #1 reason that matcha has become such a popular drink in North America throughout the last few years is because it’s loaded with nutrients and antioxidants. 

On top of that, it’s a low-calorie and sugar-free drink. Let’s take a look at what nutrients are found in matcha:

  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin E
  • Vitamin K
  • B vitamins
  • Calcium
  • Potassium
  • Fiber
  • Zinc
  • Copper
  • Manganese
  • Magnesium
  • Chromium
  • Sodium

5. Detoxify Your Body

Do you need more encouragement to drink matcha instead of coffee or sugary, caffeinated beverages? This part may persuade you to make the switch during pregnancy. 

Matcha is known to have detoxifying properties because it contains chlorophyll, which is known to remove toxins and heavy metals from the body. 

Many women are exposed to environmental toxins they don’t have control over. Matcha is an excellent way to flush these toxins from the body.

6. Improve Digestion

Are digestion issues causing you discomfort during pregnancy? You’re not alone. Many pregnant women experience an upset stomach, bloating, blocked gas, and constipation. 

Conversely, it’s also normal for pregnant women to experience frequent flatulence and diarrhea.

These digestive issues can be a nuisance for pregnant women. Matcha tea can be your friend in this situation. The nutrients in this drink are known to support good digestive health. 

It’s an efficient way to relieve constipation as well, naturally.

7. Improve Cardiovascular Health

Green tea and matcha tea have both been recognized for their benefits on cardiovascular health. This is because matcha green tea consumption is linked to reducing cholesterol levels and risks of hypertension during pregnancy.

Green teas and matcha powder contain catechins. This compound is known for decreasing oxidative stress. It can also lead to an improvement in your heart health.

8. Boost the Immune System

During cold and flu season, pregnant women need to be extra cautious. Women can benefit from taking natural measures to keep their immune systems strong.

Matcha tea is an excellent source of vitamin C and other nutrients that keep your immune system strong.

Pregnancy Nutrition Course

9. Healthy Blood Pressure

Regular matcha tea consumption can help you maintain a healthy blood pressure level. This is crucial for your baby’s healthy development. 

Pregnant women are at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure. This is why they can benefit from food and beverages that are known to support a healthy blood pressure level.

10. Maintain Blood Sugar Levels

Pregnant women need to monitor their sugar intake to reduce the risks of gestational diabetes. Matcha powder and green tea help maintain a healthy blood sugar level.

If you have already been diagnosed with diabetes, drinking matcha tea (along with a healthy diet) could help you prevent a spike in your blood sugar levels.

11. Boost Your Mood

Although more research is needed on the correlation, it is believed that using matcha green tea powder could positively affect your mood. People have mentioned feeling in a better state of mind and more relaxed after daily consumption of green tea leaves or matcha during pregnancy.

12. Lower The Risk of Birth Defects

Folate (vitamin B-9) can be found in matcha green tea powder. This nutrient is essential during pregnancy because it lowers the risk of congenital disabilities (such as neural tube defects).

Final Words

Are you looking for a reason to drink matcha tea during pregnancy? This beverage contains vitamins and nutrients that can support a healthy pregnancy. 

However, consuming matcha tea is only safe during pregnancy if consumed in moderation. This drink does contain 35 mg of caffeine per cup.

Do you prefer drinking green tea or matcha tea? Let us know in the comments below.

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