Herbal teas during pregnancy. Yes or no?
Le herbal teas they can represent an additional source of nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and iron and are certainly appreciated also in gravidanGravidanzaza. But not all herbs are safe and, also due to the lack of accredited studies that probe the effects of herbs, it is important to drink herbal teas with great caution and choose the safest ones together with your doctor. But then, herbal teas in pregnancy yes or no? Let's see what the science says.
In this article
- What are the herbal teas to avoid during pregnancy?
- What can you drink during pregnancy?
- What to drink instead of coffee
- What to drink instead of milk when pregnant?
- What does the Ministry of Health say?
- Herbal teas during pregnancy against water retention
- Dandelion tea during pregnancy. Yes or no
What are the herbal teas to avoid during pregnancy?
First of all we clarify that the herbal teas are made with roots, berries, flowers, seeds and leaves of a variety of plants, they do not contain caffeine and can also be used as natural medicinal remedies.
What herbal teas can we drink during pregnancy, then? First of all, as with anything else related to pregnancy, it is always good to talk to your gynecologist before drinking an herbal tea.
In general, herbal teas can be safe because they do not contain caffeine, however there is insufficient scientific data to support their safety in pregnancy. In other words, we don't really know what the effects of herbs are on the development of the fetus and the progress of pregnancy.
However, most of the herbal teas that we can find for sale at supermarket they can be considered safe because they contain certified herbs and in recommended doses.
Source to avoid are undoubtedly loose herbal teas, that is, homemade with seeds or herbs of which we cannot know the origin. Furthermore, there is always the risk of using too high quantities.
What can you drink during pregnancy?
Water is the drink to put in the first place: it is recommended to drink at least two liters of water a day. Water has several benefits:
- promotes the correct hydration of tissues
- vascularizes the placenta
- reduces the risk of suffering from constipation and hemorrhoids;
- fights water retention and prevents urinary tract infections.
As an alternative to water, you can drink:
- herbal teas based on chamomile or ginger (to combat nausea),
- coffee and tea in moderation,
- fruit juices in moderation because they often contain too much sugar.
Absolutely avoid alcoholic beverages, carbonated drinks.
What to drink instead of coffee
Coffee should be limited during pregnancy because it contains a massive dose of caffeine which, in high doses, can increase the risk of:
- miscarriage;
- preterm birth;
- low birth weight;
- acidity in the stomach;
- nausea;
- tachycardia.
However, there is no reason to deprive yourself of coffee in the morning, for example. The important thing is to limit yourself to the maximum dose of caffeine recommended in pregnancy (which is 200-300 mg per day): this is an amount that is reached by drinking two or three cups of espresso coffee, but it can be easily overcome by drinking a can of cola or an energy drink.
The right alternative, if you do not want to deprive yourself of the pleasure of a coffee, is to choose a decaffeinated or a barley coffee it is undoubtedly a very valid alternative to coffee: it has natural anti-inflammatory properties and promotes digestive functions, so it can be drunk with peace of mind even during pregnancy.
What to drink instead of milk when pregnant?
We know that milk and its derivatives are precious sources of calcium that should not be missing in the diet of the expectant mother, but what to do if you suffer from an intolerance to cow's milk? Valid substitutes are:
- soya milk;
- rice milk;
- highly digestible, lactose-free milk;
- almond milk;
- millet milk.
What does the Ministry of Health say?
The Ministry of Health reminds that products attributable to plant-based foods such as herbal teas or supplements, do not have and they cannot have any curative purpose. Their role may be to physiologically favor the functions of the organism in order to optimize their normal development.
In short, natural is not synonymous with safe and therefore the intake of herbal remedies, including herbal teas, must be agreed with your doctor.
Read also: Natural remedies in pregnancyHerbal teas during pregnancy against water retention
Draining herbal teas are generally not recommended in the first trimester of pregnancy and in any case it is important to talk to your doctor before drinking them. Opinions are conflicting about dandelion, but we can safely prepare a citrus fruit tea, or one with fennel or mallow.
Dandelion tea during pregnancy. Yes or no
The dandelion is rich in vitamin A, calcium and iron. The root and leaf can also help relieveedema mild and nourish the liver. However, there are currently no reliable scientific studies so its use should only be agreed with your doctor.
