Green Tea Pregnancy
The problem of green tea during pregnancy is that the EGCG molecules are structurally similar to a compound called methotrexate. Methotrexate is able to kill cancer cells by chemically bonding with an enzyme in the body called enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). Healthy people have this enzyme also - it is part of what is called the folate pathway, which is the pathway, or steps, the body takes to transform nutrients like folate into something that can be used to support its normal functions.
Some pregnant women may be sensitive to caffeine and tea. Therefore you need to avoid both the tea as well as caffeine. Should there be any content of caffeine in green tea, one can reduce the potency of caffeine by just putting boiling water over the dry leaves and then sieved off after 30 seconds.
Pregnant women should avoid the drinking of green tea as it causes great damage to the baby at the time of pregnancy. Women have to reduce having green tea at the time of pregnancy if they are green tea lovers at normal time. Every pregnant woman should be aware of green tea impact on pregnancy period. It is highly recommended to pregnancy woman to give up their habit of drinking green tea at the duration of pregnancy period to have a beautiful and healthy baby.
The relationship of green tea and pregnancy – you have to forgo all of these amazing benefits for nine months if you have been positively tested for pregnancy. The reason for this is because green tea can block various chemicals and enzymes in your body that are extremely important for the proper nervous system development of your baby. If you were to block these chemicals and enzymes for too long – your child could end up with one of numerous birth defects or retardation.
What teas are safe to consume during pregnancy?
Non-Herbal Teas
Although non-herbal tea is assumed to have great health benefits due to the antioxidants, it also contains caffeine, which pregnant women are often encouraged to eliminate or cut down on during pregnancy. The average cup of non-herbal tea contains about 40-50 milligrams of caffeine. Decaffeinated non-herbal tea does still contain a bit of caffeine, however the amount is usually only about .4 milligrams.
Herbal teas
Herbal teas are naturally caffeine free, so caffeine is not an issue when consuming this type of tea. The concern with consuming herbal teas during pregnancy is the lack of data available on most herbs and their effect on a developing fetus. There are mixed opinions on the safety of herbal teas, for both pregnant and non-pregnant women.
How does green tea affect my pregnancy and baby?
Caffeine is a stimulant and diuretic: As a stimulant, it increases your blood pressure and heart rate, which is not recommended during pregnancy. As a diuretic, it increases the frequency of urination which may cause reduction in your body fluid levels leading to dehydration.
Caffeine crosses the placenta to your baby: As an adult, your body may be able to handle the caffeine you consume, but your baby’s metabolism is in the growing stages and it can be difficult for the fetus to metabolize the caffeine.
Green Tea, Pregnancy & EGCG:
EGCG molecules are structurally similar to methotrexate, which kills cancer cells by chemically bonding with enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) which is an enzyme contained in the body. The problem is that since EGCG is similar to methotextrate, it also bonds with DHFR which inactivates it. By inactivating it, the body can’t use folate properly.
