You can’t have wine, you can’t have a cocktail with your friends, you have to cut back on the amount of caffeine you take in, and now we’re saying you can’t drink tea while you’re pregnant? Seriously…. Is there anything safe during pregnancy?
Actually, yes, rooibos and a few other types of tea are safe during pregnancy. It is not safe because it is “botanical.” However, due to the possibility of adverse effects, there are only a few types of tea that should not be consumed during pregnancy, such as black cohosh and licorice. Thankfully, none of them include rooibos. You can partake in this tasty tea while pregnant — and breastfeeding, as well — without worry. What you need to know is as follows:
What Is Rooibos Tea?
The dried parts of a plant taken from the South African red bush shrub are used to make Rooibos tea. Dissimilar to dark and green tea, it isn’t produced using tea leaves — so it’s viewed as a natural tea. In the middle of the 2000s, as a loose-leaf alternative to other traditional herbals like lemon balm, peppermint, and hibiscus, rooibos gained some popularity among tea enthusiasts. It also:
- is without caffeine
- can be effortlessly blended in with different ingredients to make fascinating flavor mixes
- flaunts some medical advantages
Hence, rooibos has advanced into the standard universe of tea choice.
Is Rooibos Tea Safe During Pregnancy?
While herbal products should always be handled with caution during pregnancy, rooibos tea is generally regarded as safe. It is superior to coffee, green tea, or black tea because it does not contain any caffeine. Rooibos is commonly thought to be safe during breastfeeding too.
You don’t need to stress over caffeine going through your circulatory system to your child, and it will help you remain calm and relaxed — so it may even help you increase breastmilk. However, keep in mind that no one really knows how much rooibos is permissible. Talk to your OB-GYN first if you want to drink more than 2 or 3 cups per day.
A Little Note on Caffeine During Pregnancy
If you want to reassure whether rooibos tea is safe during pregnancy, you must know the permitted amount of caffeine during those 9 months. We often recommend caffeine-free hot drinks as good alternatives to coffee, black or green tea during pregnancy, but is caffeine actually prohibited? Exactly not. In 2020, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reaffirmed that pregnant women are permitted to consume up to 200 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per day.
However, as a result of a recent study indicating that no amount of caffeine is safe for pregnant women, some people would like to see this guideline revised. If you want to continue enjoying your morning coffee during pregnancy, we recommend speaking with your doctor.
Where Does Science Stand On Rooibos Tea During Pregnancy?
The terrible news here is that specialists haven’t officially confirmed if rooibos tea is safe during pregnancy, so it’s basically impossible to give it a ringing underwriting with no provisos. One study involving pregnant rats seems to be the only one. According to a 2017 study, rats given rooibos tea for 21 days experienced no adverse effects and, in some instances, effects that might increase fertility.
The potential health benefits of drinking rooibos tea while pregnant are often touted by rooibos drinkers (such as digestion, skin health, and allergy relief, oh my!) be that as it may, the examination is still quite light on how great it is for you. Nevertheless, pregnant women can hope that their daily cup works to:
Strengthen Your Bones
You want all the strength you can get while pregnant, and it’s conceivable that rooibos contains a mix of compounds that increases osteoblast activity. It is the improvement of cells that assists with maintaining bone mass.
Provide Antioxidants To You
Polyphenols, which are nutrients derived from plants and have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, are abundant in Rooibos. Free radicals can cause illness (such as cancer and heart disease, among other conditions), and are reduced by antioxidants in the body.
Raise Your Cholesterol Levels
According to medical experts, rooibos tea during pregnancy may improve your overall heart health and lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol.
So Are All Teas Safe During Pregnancy?
However, we’ll tell the truth: even drinking a cup every day probably won’t do much. If you are a pregnant tea lover you will be pleased to learn that rooibos is not the only tea you are allowed to drink for the next nine months. Even black and green tea are probably safe to consume if you control your caffeine intake and keep it below 200 mg per day. Additionally, the following herbal teas without caffeine typically receive favorable reviews:
- Ginger tea is beneficial for morning sickness
- Dandelion tea (probably, but you should double-check with your doctor)
- Raspberry leaf tea
- Lemon balm tea
- Peppermint tea
- Chamomile Tea (in moderation)
How To Make Rooibos Tea?
Rooibos is a tea that should be soaked, however, you can use cold or hot water depending on what sort of drink you need. Make a pitcher of cold-brewed tea or sun tea with it, steep it in boiling water, or make a rooibos latte with it and frothed milk.
As rooibos tea has grown in popularity, more coffee shops, online tea sellers, and your local stores have added it to their selection, making it simple to buy a cup at the drive-thru or make your own at home. However, it’s usually sold as loose-leaf tea and not in tea bags; therefore, you’ll need a tea infuser.
Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Rooibos Tea During Pregnancy
Why do we advise you to consult your doctor about rooibos tea if it is completely safe? In a nutshell, anything with the label “herbal” is not really regulated, so it’s best to talk to your doctor before taking it while you’re pregnant. While the possibility of anything terrible happening in light of a cup of rooibos is practically nothing, it’s as yet a plant-based item, and you ought to ensure your primary care physician’s cool with you drinking it.
A Final Word On Rooibos Tea During Pregnancy
Rooibos is viewed as a pregnancy-safe natural tea and a sans-caffeine option in contrast to green tea, espresso, and black tea. It’s not difficult to mix at home and may even provide you with an additional increase in antioxidants. So is rooibos tea safe during pregnancy? The short answer is yes but only if you limit it once a day. If you develop a craving for it, you may wanna ask your doctor if drinking more than one cup is safe or not.
FAQs: Roobois Tea During Pregnancy
1. Why is rooibos tea good for pregnancy?
2. What is the safest tea for pregnancy?
3. Does rooibos tea increase breast milk?
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Reviewed By:
Jessica - Nutritionist Dietician
Jessica is the owner and registered dietitian nutritionist at Nutrition That Heals, LLC. She started her dietetics career working in acute care where she gained a great deal of invaluable experience, learning all about different disease states and their appropriate nutrition interventions. She then worked in long term care where she was able to develop her skills and knowledge base dealing with the elderly population. Following long term care, she worked as an outpatient dialysis dietitian, working with patients to help them eat their best for their kidney failure and often other health conditions (diabetes, heart disease, etc.). She then made the jump back to be an inpatient clinical dietitian. There, she was able to work with patients with strokes, cancer, orthopedic issues, as well as the pediatric population. During her most recent time working as an inpatient clinical dietitian, a great opportunity presented itself and it was a great way to move into focusing more on her dream of opening a private practice. She currently works full time as a contract dietitian with Dietitians on Demand conducting 1:1 nutrition counseling sessions while also working with patients here at Nutrition That Heals, LLC. She has been grateful enough to know how powerful good nutrition can be, but after being diagnosed with endometriosis in March 2022, she had to fully focus on the importance of anti-inflammatory foods, proper hydration, and self-care. This diagnosis motivated her to put pen to paper and get her business started - she wanted to teach what she had learned to others - food should be nourishing. Jessica wants to show you how you can heal with good nutrition, and feel your absolute best!
