Are you wondering if it is safe to drink green tea while breastfeeding? Green tea is recommended to be consumed in moderation while breastfeeding because it contains caffeine. But just like coffee, or most caffeinated beverages, it is safe to drink while breastfeeding.
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What Makes Green Tea Good for Breastfeeding Mothers?
While there are many breastfeeding drinks that increase milk supply, green tea is not one of them. Green tea’s benefits for breastfeeding comes from it’s immense health properties, ability to hydrate, and as an alternative to coffee.
Overall, green tea is low in caffeine compared to other caffeinated beverages. 8 fluid ounces of green tea contains 30 – 40 mg of caffeine, while coffee contains about 90 – 100 mg’s.
That is a significant difference and makes it arguably “more safe” than coffee for breastfeeding moms when it comes to caffeine.
If you are looking for a tea that boost milk supply, try one of these lactation teas.
Can I drink green tea while breastfeeding?
Green tea is touted to be one of the healthiest beverages on the planet.
It is loaded with antioxidants, specifically polyphenols, and is proven to have an abundance of health benefits. For this reason, it is often treated as a medicinal beverage.
Not only is drinking green tea generally accepted while breastfeeding, but also encouraged by a large number of world-wide health professionals.
What about Matcha while Breastfeeding?
Matcha is powder created from young green tea leaves. Matcha lattes are super popular, and perhaps you are wondering if you need to give up Matcha when breastfeeding.
The average 16 oz cup of Matcha contains about 140 g of caffeine.
While this is actually more caffeine than a regular cup of green tea, it is still less than coffee.
So the good news is, as long as you consume it in moderation, meaning no more than 2-3 cups per day, you are still within reasonable caffeine limits.
Try this green tea lactation latte!
Read on for the evidence-based health benefits that support why it is safe to drink green tea while breastfeeding.
Benefits associated with drinking green tea while Breastfeeding:
Contains healthy bioactive compounds
- Tea is rich in polyphenols, which are natural compounds that have health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and helping to fight cancer.
- It is more than a hydrating beverage, containing a catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Catechins are natural antioxidants that help prevent cell damage and provide other benefits.
- These compounds give green tea its medicinal properties and what make green tea a good drink for breastfeeding moms.
Read more about the best foods for breastfeeding
May Improve brain function
- The key active ingredient is caffeine
- Caffeine is safe while breastfeeding as long as it does not exceed 200-300mg per day.
- It contains approximately 1/3 of caffeine than coffee, making it a safer alternative for breastfeeding mothers.
- Caffeine can aid and provide energy in the event of a night of poor sleep due to that of a baby.
Read more about managing caffeine while breastfeeding here.
Increases Fat Burning
- look at the ingredient list for any fat burning supplement, chances are green tea will be on there.
- Drinking green tea boosts metabolic rate which in turn, increases fat burning rate.
- This can help a postpartum mother achieve weight loss post pregnancy.
Learn more about how to shrink postpartum belly here.
Antioxidants may lower the risk of some cancers
- A comprehensive review of observational studies found that women who drank green tea had an approximately 20–30% lower risk of developing breast cancer, one of the most common cancers in women.
- An analysis of 29 studies showed that those drinking green tea were around 42% less likely to develop colorectal cancer.
Promotes oral health
- Drinking green tea can reduce bad breath
- The catechins, found in green tea, also have benefits for oral health. Test-tube studies suggest that catechins can suppress the growth of bacteria, potentially lowering the risk of oral infections.
Aids in the prevention of type II diabetes
- The rates of type 2 diabetes are increasing in recent decades. The condition now affects about 1 in 10 Americans.
- Studies show that green tea may improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels.
- One study in Japanese individuals found that those who drank green tea had an approximately 42% lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
Aids in the prevention of cardiovascular disease
- Cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, are the leading causes of death worldwide.
- Green tea also increases the antioxidant capacity of the blood, which protects the LDL particles from oxidation, which is one part of the pathway toward heart disease.
- People who drink green tea have up to a 31% lower risk of dying from a cardiovascular disease.
As you can see, green tea has a copious amount of reasons as to why you may want to add it into your daily diet. For breastfeeding mothers, this is a great method to itch a caffeine craving with a healthier option. Green tea is both safe, and healthy to consume. Go and enjoy yourself a warm cup of health-boosting tea.
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More on Breastfeeding Diet
Our mission here is to help make healthy eating and milk making easier for Moms. Check our some of our top resources below!
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