Decaffeinated Tea during Pregnancy

Decaffeination is the process of removing caffeine from caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea. The main reason for removing caffeine from such beverages is the growing concern about the health effect of caffeine. On the other hand, some beverages like tea, especially green tea is known to have many important health benefits. So, the process of decaffeination can allow us to derive the benefits of tea, while avoiding the harmful effects of caffeine. Pregnant women are among those people who are often advised to avoid or cut down the intake of caffeine. So, they too can switch over to decaffeinated tea. But, many people still seem to have certain reservations about drinking such a beverage during preganancy.

Caffeinated Beverages

Caffeine is considered as a psychoactive drug, as it acts on the central nervous system. Intake of too much caffeine during pregnancy may have an association with lower birth weight and even miscarriages. Since caffeine is a stimulant, it can increase the heart rate and metabolism for a brief period. It can also constrict the blood vessels and thus reduce the flow of blood to the placenta. All these can have an effect on the developing fetus. Moreover, caffeine has diuretic properties, i.e. it can cause the body to get rid of excess water. On the other hand, women during pregnancy need to stay well hydrated. Another important finding about beverages like tea and coffee is that they can affect the absorption and utilization of iron and folate, especially if they are taken immediately after meal. For all these reasons, there is a unanimous opinion that expecting mothers should avoid drinking large quantities of caffeinated beverages.

Decaf Tea for Pregnant Women

In general, the caffeine content of a cup of prepared tea is significantly lower than the caffeine content of a cup of coffee. Besides this, tea contains flavones and antioxidants, which are essential for leading a healthy life. The antioxidant content of green tea is more than other types of tea, for which it is considered as a healthy drink. Tea can help many pregnant women to cope with morning sickness and an upset stomach. The only reason to worry about is the caffeine found in tea, which can be avoided by switching over to the decaffeinated version. Consumption of a small amount of even caffeinated tea is generally considered to be safe during pregnancy. What is important is to avoid the over consumption of tea in order to reduce the intake of caffeine. Decaffeinated tea can help a lot in this regard.

However, decaffeinated tea is not completely free of caffeine, as complete removal of caffeine is not possible. It too contains a small amount of caffeine, about 1 to 2% of the original caffeine. This should be kept in mind by any pregnant women while considering to take decaffeinated tea. The process of decaffeination can not only lower not only the level of caffeine, but the level of flavones and antioxidants as well, which may compromise the nutritional value of tea. But, as far as safety is concerned, moderate drinking of decaffeinated tea is usually safe for expecting women. But, it would be wise to reduce the number of cups of tea that you drink daily.

In general, drinking 1 or 2 cups of decaffeinated tea is not supposed to have any harmful effects on the developing fetus. As far as green tea is concerned, it can also be taken in moderation. Green tea contains a compound, known as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which can have an effect on the way the body uses folate. Therefore, many people suggest that pregnant women should avoid regular consumption of caffeinated and decaffeinated green tea. On the other hand, pregnant women who are still drinking caffeinated tea should bear in mind that their daily caffeine intake should not exceed 200 mg, as per the guidelines issued by the Food Standards Agency.

Lastly, it is advisable to talk to your physician, to know which drink is safe to be taken during pregnancy. Though moderate drinking of decaffeinated tea is largely considered safe in pregnancy, it is better to follow your physician's suggestions in this regard. This is because, there is no conclusive opinion regarding this matter. So, if your physician asks you to completely eliminate caffeine, then it is better to do so. But, if you are asked only to cut down the intake of caffeine, then you may be able to enjoy decaffeinated tea in moderation.