Detox Teas While Pregnant: Are They Safe?

  

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When you first find out that you are pregnant, there are several lifestyle changes that you have to make.

You learn that you need to reassess the smallest possible things to ensure that your little one thrives.

What seems the scariest at this time are toxins in your body. It makes sense that you want to learn more about detoxifying your body.

While your body has the strongest possible detox mechanisms in the form of your liver and kidneys, a little outside help doesn’t hurt.

Detox teas are understood to be best for preventing toxic overloads and offering myriad health benefits.

But what about consuming detox tea while pregnant?

By the time you are done reading this article, you will have accurate knowledge about not just about drinking detox tea while pregnant, but also about other herbal teas and how to safely include them in your routine.

 

1. Tea During Pregnancy: Safe Or Not?

 

 

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According to the Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition Journal, tea is a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds that offer incredible health benefits. (1) 

And, when you are expecting, these health benefits of tea get even better and relevant provided you talk to your gynecologist and let them set a dosage appropriate for you.

 

2. Why Is Tea Important During Pregnancy?

 

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If you are thinking about can I drink detox tea while pregnant, the answer is that you should most definitely include them in your diet.

Here are some evidence-backed reasons why you must include tea in your routine, especially during pregnancy:

• Reasons such as the demand by the fetus and vomiting may make you feel dehydrated during pregnancy.
  Pregnancy teas are a delicious way to stay hydrated, especially when water may seem like a boring choice.

• Morning sickness during pregnancy leaves one drained.
  
  According to the National Library of Medicine, teas, especially ginger and peppermint, help in stimulating your gastrointestinal tract and hence reduce nausea and vomiting. (9)

• The Journal of Nutrition says that tea is a great source of antioxidants.
  This helps reduce oxidative damage and protects you against chronic diseases. (10)
  
  
• Changes in your hormones and anxiety about your life and family often cause stress during pregnancy.
  
  As the Psychopharmacology Journal validates, tea reduces your hormonal, platelet, and cardiac response to stress. (11)

 

 3. Can you drink detox tea while pregnant?

 

 

 

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There are several reasons why you may want to reach out for that cup of soothing warm tea.

After all, you can’t keep down most foods and drinks during pregnancy and tea is a great way to stay hydrated and keep that morning sickness in check.

And when a tea promises to detox your system, it may sound interesting and beneficial.

Detox teas are often at the center of many a question. One may ask can detox tea cause miscarriage, how they work, and how they benefit.

Before we talk about whether you should or should not drink detox tea while pregnant, it is important to know the need to detox.

Our bodies are exposed to several pollutants every day including:

1. Plastics
2. Fumes
3. Heavy metals
4. Artificial colors and preservatives in foods and drinks.

The Interdisciplinary Toxicology Journal validates that these toxins get absorbed in your bloodstream and deposited in the cells and tissues while binding themselves to blood proteins. (2) 

This has serious consequences for your health such as:

• Poisoning
• Cancer
• Organ damage
• Central nervous system disorders

So, while this modern-day toxicity becomes difficult to handle for an average person, pregnant women need to be more careful about eliminating these toxins from their bodies.

This brings us back to detox teas and if it is safe to drink fit tea while pregnant?

Made with natural laxatives, detox teas allow waste expulsion.

While this may benefit you on regular days during pregnancy, you need more nutrients to stay healthy.

Detox teas with unknown ingredients and those not approved by the FDA may have a harmful laxative and diuretic effect.

According to the Herbal Medicine book, this may lead to depleted nutrition and labor problems. (3)

 

4. Which Detox Teas Are Recommended During Pregnancy?

 

 

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If you wish to cleanse your system during pregnancy, the safest way, as validated by the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, is to have green tea. (4)

Here are some options of teas that you can safely consume during pregnancy:

• Ginger extract tea: The Integrative Medicine Insights Journal says that verifies that ginger extract tea effectively combats nausea and morning sickness during pregnancy. (5)

• Peppermint leaf tea: As demonstrated in the findings of the Medeniyet Medical Journal, consuming peppermint leaf tea helps in reducing gastrointestinal problems and vomiting during pregnancy. (6)

• Dandelion tea: The Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health Journal says that dandelion tea is excellent for relieving digestive issues during pregnancy. It also improves appetite and relieves nausea. (7)

Another option worth a mention is Red Raspberry Leaf Tea, also known as the ‘uterine tonic’.

Abundant in nutrients, it not just nourishes you and your baby, but also eases your delivery and benefits your hormones. 

According to a BMC Complementary Medicine article, this tea helps in reducing contractions during labor and eases discomfort considerably. (8)

 

5. Which Are Some Detox Recipes To Try At Home?

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Now that your question ‘Is detox tea safe during pregnancy’ has been answered, let’s learn how to make these teas at home.

Just follow these simple steps:

 

Pomegranate Tea

 

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Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 green tea bag
• 1-inch ginger root
• 1 cup fresh pomegranate seeds
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Instructions

• Add the water to a pan and put it to heat.
• Slice the ginger root and put them in the water.
• Put the seeds into a small cloth bag and add to the water.
• Let the water come to a boil. Once it does, let it simmer for 10-12 minutes.
• Strain the concoction into a cup.
• Add the green tea bag and let it steep for 5 minutes.
• Squeeze the lemon and add the vanilla extract
• Your detox tea is ready.

 

Ginger Detox Tea

 

Ingredients:

• 6 cups of water
• 1.5-inch ginger
• 1 tablespoon green tea leaves
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon carom seeds
• 5 lemon slices
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds

 

Instructions:

• Heat a pan and add 5-6 cups of water.
• Add peeled ginger pieces.
• Strain the tea and add lemon slices.
• Add honey to taste.
• Your detox tea is ready to be served.

 

6. Why Is Nettle Tea A Great Pregnancy Drink?

 

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The nettle plant, also known as stinging nettle, is native to Asia and Northern Europe.

The leaves of this plant are nutritionally-rich and offer some great health benefits, especially during pregnancy.

Pregnancy Tea with Raspberry Leaf and Nettle is a simple and easy way to include this nourishing herb in your diet.

The Food Science and Nutrition Journal validates these benefits of nettle tea (12)

• A good source of energy.
• Supports hormonal balance.
• Eases cramps and pains.
• Reduces blood sugar levels.
• 100% natural and organic ingredients.

If you are looking for pregnancy-safe tea, this is your best bet.
It is not just safe for you and your baby but is also hydrating and nourishing.

 

7. Which Herbs & Teas Should You Stay Away From During Pregnancy?

 

 

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There are some herbs and teas about which there is insufficient information and should be avoided during pregnancy.

These include:

 

Caffeinated Teas:

Caffeine is a stimulant that must be avoided during pregnancy.

This comparative assessment, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will give you an idea about which tea to avoid: (13)

Tea (240 ml)	Caffeine content (in mg)
Matcha	60-80
Black tea	47-53
Oolong tea	38-58
White tea	25-50
Green tea	29-49

 

Besides this, there are some herbs and teas that are said to have risky side effects.

These include:

• Fennel, sage, borage, and fenugreek are said to induce pre-term labor.
• Motherwort and Lovage may stimulate bleeding or cause birth defects.
• Eucalyptus tea may cause chronic nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Decaf tea is a great option for pregnant women who want to enjoy the benefits of tea without caffeine.

There are some concerns about decaf tea and pregnancy, but overall it is considered safe.

 

8. How Can You Gain The Health Benefits Of Tea?

 

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If you are thinking is detox tea bad for pregnancy, the short answer is ‘no’.

Teas are completely safe to consume during pregnancy provided you are careful and take these precautions:

• Excessive caffeine may lead to miscarriage or a low birth rate.
  
  The Obstetrics and Gynecology Journal confirms the current guidelines of limiting caffeine intake to less than 200 mg per day for pregnant women. (13)

•  Ensure that your chosen tea is FDA-approved.

• Never include any tea without consulting your obstetrician and gynecologist.
  If you experience any side effects after consuming tea, seek immediate medical attention.

 

9. The Bottom Line

Teas are healthy for you and your baby as long as you don’t over-indulge in detox teas while pregnant.

Make sure not to just rely on tea.

Adopt a holistic approach to your health that includes great nutrition, exercise, and low stress to ensure a healthy and happy pregnancy.

Always ask your doctor if you are unsure about a certain tea and its benefits.