Can I drink tea while pregnant?
Well, we know pregnancy can be a great deal for tea lovers.
Most of us can relate to this as we know that tea lovers can barely function without tea.
But when it comes to choosing between fetal health and the need for tea, the answer is obvious. Don’t worry, we have got you covered! Rooibos tea is the ultimate solution here.
Yes, unlike black tea, it is completely safe to have rooibos tea in pregnancy.
Just like other herbal teas, we know that rooibos tea is not only safe in pregnancy but offers many other benefits. This doesn’t necessarily mean that every herbal tea is safe for consumption during pregnancy. Yes, there are certain exceptions, but rooibos tea is certainly not one among them.
So, if you are an expecting mother and looking for a tea alternative, here is your ultimate guide on the whys and hows of rooibos tea in pregnancy.
Table of Contents
What is Rooibos Tea?
Rooibos (pronounced as ROY-boss) tea aka red tea or red bush tea is a herbal tea. Rooibos tea is obtained from the fermented leaves of a shrub plant known as Aspalathus linearis. This plant is native to South Africa.
Green rooibos tea is also available that is obtained from the unfermented leaves of the plant. This version of rooibos tea is more beneficial and relatively expensive.
No matter whether red or green, rooibos tea is a caffeine-free tea. There are many recognized health benefits of rooibos tea that make it perfect for pregnant women.
Let’s explore more about this!
What are the Benefits of Rooibos Tea in Pregnancy?
Here are some of the potential rooibos tea benefits in pregnancy.
1- Caffeine Free Tea Alternative
Have you heard about the health benefits of black coffee in keeping you alert?
Well, we know that caffeine does a lot for us.
From opening your eyes in the morning to keeping you going for the rest of the day, it’s there for all the reasons. Over time, we might develop caffeine addiction. But pregnancy is the time when you have to give up on it because caffeine is bad for you and your baby.
There are many observational and meta-analysis studies that establish a link between caffeine consumption and its negative outcomes on pregnancy. From increasing the risk of fetal damage to pregnancy complications, we are convinced that caffeine consumption is worse for pregnant women.
All thanks to the rooibos tea for being a healthy (caffeine-free) tea alternative!
2- Contains Fewer Tannins
Pregnancy is all about working on your nutrition for a healthy baby.
But do you know that despite eating a diet full of healthy nutrients, you can’t get enough nutrients?
This occurs when there is some problem with the absorption of nutrients in your body. Unfortunately, tannins present in ordinary tea can alter how your body takes up certain nutrients.
In contrast, taking rooibos tea in pregnancy can be the answer. Rooibos tea contains fewer tannins than black tea which makes it a healthy choice to make in pregnancy.
Suggested Read: What To Eat During Pregnancy: 5 Best Food Choices
3- Loaded with Antioxidants
Next on the list of benefits of rooibos tea in pregnancy comes its role in fighting oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress is bad for our bodies and can harm our overall health. However, nutrients present in natural foods can help us to get rid of oxidative stress. Rooibos tea is loaded with good amounts of antioxidants that can increase antioxidant levels in our bodies.
3- Good for Heart Health
Rooibos tea in pregnancy supports a healthy heart.
This can inhibit the activity of ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) that improves blood pressure naturally. Other than this, rooibos tea can also help to reduce blood cholesterol levels.
Both healthy cholesterol and ACE suppression are linked with a healthy heart.
4- Improves Bone Health
Pregnancy changes your health in many ways and bone health is not an exception to this!
Dr. Rabbia Ashraf, the top gynecologist in Lahore with 10 years of experience, says women often experience a reduction in bone mass during pregnancy.
So, alongside a bone-healthy diet, rooibos tea in pregnancy can support healthy bones. This happens because rooibos tea contains certain compounds that help to enhance the development of new bone during fetal skeletal development.
So, rooibos tea in pregnancy is good for both maternal and fetal bone health.
Suggested Read: Foods for Stronger Bones
5- Good for Stress Management
Rooibos tea is also good to keep you stress-free.
It helps you to fight off anxiety by interfering with the production of stress hormone (cortisol) in your body. Aspalathin and nothofagin are the antioxidants in rooibos tea that can help you to keep your stress level lower.
6- Reduces Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are the ultimate outcome of pregnancy.
While we talk about other benefits of rooibos tea during pregnancy, let’s not forget that rooibos tea helps with stretch marks.
This rooibos tea benefit comes after the topical application of rooibos tea on your skin rather than drinking it. There is more research required in this regard but rooibos tea alongside other rooibos products can help with the appearance of stretch marks.
Suggested Read: Cellulite vs Stretch Marks; How to get rid of Belly Stretch Marks
7- Other Rooibos Tea Benefits
Here are some of the proposed benefits of rooibos tea in pregnancy to know about:
- It is good for allergies
- Rooibos tea can reduce the digestive stress
- It might improve sleep quality during pregnancy.
For all these reasons, rooibos tea is beneficial during your pregnancy journey. However, having a cup in a day wouldn’t do much for you. You can take 1-3 cups of rooibos tea during pregnancy to reap its benefits.
How to Make Rooibos Tea?
Just like your black tea, you can enjoy it hot or cold.
You can find rooibos tea bags or rooibos tea powder from the market. Steep it for 5 minutes and your rooibos tea is ready.
You can also take leaves from the rooibos plant and boil them in water. After straining, enjoy it hot or keep it in the fridge for a colder version.
You can also add milk or honey for taste enhancement!
Rooibos Tea in Pregnancy – Let’s Wrap Up!
After reading about all the convincing benefits of rooibos tea in pregnancy, I am sure you have made up your mind.
Rooibos is a herbal tea that is completely safe for consumption during pregnancy and offers many benefits. There are no prominent side effects of having it. However, if you start noticing any changes, it is better to consult your gynecologist immediately. You can consult the best gynecologists in Karachi via Healthwire to make informed decisions about your health.
