Can You Drink Matcha While Pregnant

Matcha While Pregnant

Matcha is everywhere you go these days. From donuts to lattes and even chocolate, everyone is going crazy for this green tea powder. With all of its health benefits and excellent flavor, it’s no surprise that matcha is having a moment. But is matcha safe for everyone? Can you drink matcha while pregnant?

Let’s explore the world of matcha tea, its benefits and whether it’s okay to consume it while pregnant.

What Is Matcha?

Matcha is high-grade green tea in powder form. Rather than steeping, like with traditional tea, matcha powder is whisked in hot water to create a frothy, delicious drink.

Matcha has been the heart of traditional Japanese tea ceremonies for centuries, but its roots are in China. The art of whisking matcha and the tea plant itself was brought to Japan in the 12th century by a Zen priest.

Over time, the practice of steeping tea became widespread in China. But in Japan, it lived on. Ceremonial tea drinking was quickly adopted by the Japanese samurai class, and the ritual of the tea ceremony became an art in and of itself. It’s believed that the lengthy preparation process helped sharpen the samurai’s concentration, patience and focus.

Today, ceremonial-grade matcha is made with the youngest spring buds from the tea plant. Each leaf is hand-picked and processed with care.

While matcha has long been an important part of Japanese culture, it’s only now gaining popularity in the West. Along with its pleasant earthy taste, this tea has a wealth of benefits.

Matcha Health Benefits

Green tea is most famous for its health benefits. However, as a type of green tea, matcha also offers many benefits.

Antioxidant Powerhouse: Regular green tea is praised for its high antioxidant content, but matcha has even more Why? It all comes down to the preparation of the tea. Because it comes in powder form and is whisked directly in hot water, you consume the whole tea leaf – and all of its antioxidants. According to research, the number of certain catechins is up to 137 times greater in matcha than in other forms of green tea.
May Protect the Liver: Research has found that matcha may help protect the liver from damage. For example, one rodent study found that matcha prevented kidney and liver damage in diabetic rats.
May Boost Brain Function: Some of the components in matcha may help boost brain function. In one small study, a group given matcha had improved reaction time, attention and memory compared to the placebo group. In another study, older adults experienced improved brain function after taking 2 grams of green tea powder per day.
May Promote Heart Health: Research has shown that drinking green tea (which includes matcha) can help lower bad cholesterol.

Because of the way it’s prepared, matcha contains more caffeine than other forms of green tea. For pregnant people, the higher caffeine content has them wondering whether it’s safe to drink this tea.

Matcha While Pregnant

If you enjoyed matcha before you were pregnant, you may be wondering whether it’s okay to drink it now. Maybe you want to try matcha for the first time because of the health benefits it offers.

But can you drink matcha while pregnant? Is it safe? What about different types of matcha drinks, like lattes? Let’s take a closer look at matcha and pregnancy.

Can You Have Matcha While Pregnant?

Matcha offers so many health benefits, and its earthy flavor can be comforting. But is it safe to have matcha while you’re pregnant? Today, cafes and restaurants have matcha everything. Should you avoid these items if you’re expecting?

Maybe. When foods are prepared with matcha, it’s almost impossible to know how much powder is used and the quality of the matcha. Generally, it’s best to err on the side of caution and consume matcha foods in moderation.

Remember – matcha in any form will still have caffeine. It’s important to minimize your caffeine consumption during pregnancy. Experts suggest limiting your caffeine intake to no more than 200mg per day during pregnancy.

Matcha Tea While Pregnant

Can you drink matcha while pregnant? The general consensus is that it’s okay to drink a bowl (1-2 servings) per day, but don’t go overboard. Moderation is key. Experts agree that green tea is excellent for your teeth, bones and immune system. Its rich antioxidant content also helps fight free radicals.

But it’s crucial to limit your caffeine consumption when you’re pregnant. Matcha has a higher concentration of caffeine, so it’s even more important to be cautious if you want to add this drink to your diet. Additionally, consuming too much green tea can hinder folic acid absorption, which is a crucial nutrient during pregnancy – especially in the first 12 weeks.

So, play it safe and stick to just one or two servings per day. More importantly, talk to your doctor before adding matcha to your diet. Your doctor can provide guidance and recommendations if you want to drink matcha during your pregnancy.

Matcha Powder While Pregnant

You can find matcha powder in grocery stores and online, but can you consume it during pregnancy?

Matcha powder can be used in moderation when you’re pregnant.

Along with drinking it as a tea, many people use matcha powder as part of their skin care routine and for baking or cooking at home. It’s important to be mindful of how much you’re using with either of these applications.

Caffeine can be absorbed through the skin, so if you want to apply a face mask using matcha, only use a small amount (less than what you’d use to brew a cup). For baking and cooking, the same rules apply.

It’s not the matcha itself but the caffeine content that’s most worrisome.

Matcha Latte While Pregnant

Many pregnant people wonder if it’s safe to drink a matcha latte while pregnant. When people think of lattes, espresso and frothy milk are the first things that come to mind. But matcha lattes are nothing more than green tea powder and steamed milk.

So, yes, it’s okay to have a matcha latte or two while pregnant as long as it’s consumed in moderation and approved by your doctor.

If possible, make your own matcha lattes at home. The ones served in cafes or sold in stores may contain other ingredients and sugar that can be harmful to your baby. However, it’s easy to prepare your own lattes at home – and you’ll save money.

You can find lots of matcha latte powders and concentrates online and on store shelves. While it’s generally best to keep it simple and prepare it yourself, you may find some quality products that offer other benefits. For example, some matcha latte powders also contain wheatgrass, chlorella and other superfoods that can boost your health. Always talk to your doctor before consuming these products, but generally, they can provide a nice nutrient kick.

Be cautious of matcha powder blends that contain herbs. Some herbs can be harmful to your baby or even promote premature birth or miscarriage. Again, it’s always best to play it safe and keep it simple when consuming matcha.

Can You Drink Matcha While Breastfeeding

Best Matcha Brands Available on the Market

If you’re new to the world of matcha, you may be feeling overwhelmed by all of the options out there. Along with plain powder, you’ll find matcha blends that contain other ingredients.

To keep it simple – and safe – we’re going to look at some of the best plain matcha brands on the market today.

One important thing you need to know about matcha is that there are two main grades (or categories) of these powders: ceremonial and culinary.

Ceremonial matcha is the highest quality and the most expensive, but its smooth taste makes it delicious.
Culinary grade matcha is a little more bitter and intense. It’s less expensive, and when paired with milk or sweetener, it can also be delicious.

Let’s take a look at some of the best brands in both of these categories.

Ippodo Ummon Matcha

Ippodo has a reputation for being some of the best ceremonial grade matcha out there, and their Ummon is the second-highest grade they offer. Its flavor has been described as earthy and creamy. It’s delicious on its own, whisked to frothy perfection – no milk or sweetener required.

Ito En Matcha Powder

Ito En’s matcha powder is culinary grade, so it’s a more affordable option than Ippodo matcha. This powder is unsweetened and easy to prepare. It’s best served with a bit of milk (dairy or non-dairy) and a small amount of sweetener.

Kettl 2019 Grand Prize Asahi Matcha

If you’re looking for premium, fine matcha, Kettl’s 2019 grand prize Asahi Matcha can’t be beat. It certainly comes at a price ($90 for 10g), but it is some of the finest matcha available.

Breakaway Matcha

Breakaway Matcha is a great brand for beginners because they offer samplers and an impressive 18 grades of green tea powder. They also sell teaware and ceramics, so you can get everything you need to prepare matcha at home.

Final Thoughts

So, can you drink matcha while pregnant? Yes – but in moderation and only if your doctor approves. Unless it’s medically necessary, there’s really no reason to avoid green tea powder as long as you drink it responsibly. In fact, matcha offers many benefits for you and your baby.