Is It Safe To Drink Oolong Tea During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is a wonderful and memorable phase in a woman’s life. A pregnant woman undergoes a lot of physical and mental changes during this phase and stress is one of the consequences. What better way to de-stress than a cup of tea? Tea is an essential part of the everyday routine for most of us. Our day starts and sometimes ends, with a cup of tea. Herbal teas are extremely beneficial and provide many health and wellness benefits to us. Oolong is one such tea that is high in beneficial properties. But is it safe to drink Oolong tea during pregnancy?

When pregnant, we often feel drained and fatigued thanks to all the hormonal, physical, and psychological changes happening within us. The constant search for something refreshing more often ends with a cup of tea. If you love your oolong tea and are wondering if drinking this tea is safe for you during pregnancy, this article has everything you need to know.

What is Oolong Tea?

Oolong Tea is taken from the stem, buds, and leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant and is partially fermented. Mature leaves of these plants are exposed to partial oxidation varying from 10 to 70 % (1). In terms of flavor, oolongs that have been oxidized for a short period are similar to green tea, while oolongs that have been oxidized for a long time have a close resemblance to black tea. So Oolong tea lies somewhere between green tea and black tea (2).

[Read: Green Tea During Pregnancy]

Types of Oolong Tea

Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea that is popular all over the world (3). It has many sub-varieties and flavors.

• Sweet and fruity tea with the aroma of honey (4).
• Roasted aroma-woody and thick.
• Green and fresh with bouquet aroma.

The different properties depend on the drying and preparation process.

[Read: How Good Is Decaf Tea During Pregnancy?]

Is It Safe to Consume Oolong Tea During Pregnancy?

The answer to this is yes, but have it in moderation. A pregnant woman should stay away from caffeinated drinks as much as possible. But if you are a tea addict, then limit your caffeine intake.

A pregnant woman should consume no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day (5). One small cup of Oolong tea contains 60 mg of caffeine, so this allows her to have around two cups of tea per day.

How is Oolong Tea Prepared?

Two tablespoons of tea are taken in a cup of hot water, which is at a temperature of 200 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Re Brewing this tea can increase its taste, unlike in other varieties of tea.

Top 6 Benefits of Consuming Oolong Tea During Pregnancy

Now, let us explore the benefits of consuming oolong tea during pregnancy. Some benefits include:

1. Reduce the Risk of Various Ailments

The antioxidants present in Oolong tea can eliminate free radicals from the body and reduce the risk of conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, etc (6). It also helps in controlling any kind of inflammation in the body (7). Drinking this tea can prevent pregnant women from developing tumors owing to the presence of polyphenolic compounds (8).

2. Helps to Reduce Stress

Stress is common among pregnant women, especially among those who are working. Drinking oolong tea helps you reduce the stress levels to a great extent (9). Oolong tea when not brewed for long can help to increase mental alertness among pregnant women.

3. Helps With Weight Management

Weight gain is inevitable during pregnancy, but a pregnant woman should stay away from adding on those unwanted pounds. The polyphenols present in oolong tea regulate metabolism and help in effective weight management.

4. Good For Skin

Drinking oolong tea during pregnancy enhances the pregnancy glow. Oolong tea has anti-allergic compounds that help to deal with any irritation or skin problems effectively.

5. Helps With Indigestion

If a pregnant woman faces any digestive issues that can cause stomach pain and restlessness, this tea acts as a natural pain reliever. Indigestion and acidity can also be controlled by drinking Oolong tea.

6. Helps to Prevent Gestational Diabetes

This tea can prevent gestational diabetes, which is very common during pregnancy. It is beneficial in controlling blood sugar levels.

Though we find that drinking Oolong tea has its health benefits, it is always better to consult a doctor regarding the amount of tea a pregnant woman can take in. Each person’s body reacts differently. Some women can take in a certain amount of tea, while some do not at all. So do get your doctor’s approval before consuming Oolong tea.

[Read: 10 Easy And Healthy Drinks During Pregnancy]

Why is Tea Preferred Over Coffee During Pregnancy?

Tea contains less caffeine content than Coffee and is thereby favored by a woman during pregnancy. Health experts recommend cutting down caffeine intake during pregnancy. Teas, being lower in caffeine content than coffee, provide a safer alternative, while also ensuring the much-needed caffeine kick.

Side Effects of Caffeine During Pregnancy

Though Oolong tea has innumerable benefits, it does have caffeine in it. Some side effects of excess caffeine intake on a pregnant woman are:

• Excessive caffeine consumption in early pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage. This is because excess caffeine consumption can hinder folic acid absorption (10). Folic acid is a critical nutrient for a healthy pregnancy.
• Excess caffeine intake can increase the heart rate of the newborn baby (11).
• Caffeine can lead to low birth weight in babies.
• It can increase the risk of premature delivery  (12)
• Stillbirth can also be caused by excess caffeine intake.
• It can make the baby in the womb restless and hyperactive.
• It can lead to breathing and sleeping difficulties in infants.

Precautions To Take While Drinking Oolong Tea During Pregnancy

Drinking oolong tea can be a healthy choice during pregnancy. But there are some preventives to understand as well. Let’s know them

1. Consult your expert before taking oolong tea, specifically if you have any medical conditions.
2. Limit caffeine intake to less than 200mg per day. Take to a max of 2 cups per day
3. Choose low-caffeine oolong tea varieties.
4. Avoid adding any form of sweetener or dairy. It won’t taste good may not be beneficial
5. Do not Heat oolong more than once
6. Avoid boiling or overheating the tea. Doing this might affect its antioxidant profile

So to conclude, Oolong tea is safe during pregnancy, but only within the limits. When in doubt, always check with your doctor on the safe limits within which you can have caffeine comfortably. Worry not, have a cup of Oolong tea and enjoy its full range of benefits.

FAQ’s

1. Can Drinking Oolong Tea During Pregnancy Make Me Feel Dizzy?

Yes, it can. It is in fact a well-known side effect of this tea. If you experience this, it is best to avoid this tea.

2. Can I Drink Oolong Tea in My Final Trimester?

Do consult your doctor on this. This tea has some severe side effects that can affect the pregnancy. It can affect the baby too.

3. Can Drinking Oolong Tea During Pregnancy Affect the Baby?

Yes, unfortunately, it can. It can make the baby restless and can even result in sleep disorders/ difficulties after birth.

4. Can Drinking Oolong Tea During Pregnancy Cause Pre-Mature Birth?

In some rare cases, it can. If you are already at a risk of pre-term delivery, it is best to avoid this tea. Do consult your doctor before you consume this.

Read Also: How Safe Is Iced Tea During Pregnancy?

References

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2. Shuzhen Wang, Ting Zeng, Shuang Zhao, Yu Zhu, Changchun Feng, Jianfeng Zhan, Shiming Li, Chi-Tang Ho, Alexander Gosslau, Multifunctional health-promoting effects of oolong tea and its products,
   Food Science and Human Wellness, Volume 11, Issue 3 – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213453021001373#
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4. Sheibani, E., Duncan, S.E., Kuhn, D.D., Dietrich, A.M., Newkirk, J.J. and O’Keefe, S. (2016), Changes in flavor volatile composition of oolong tea after panning during tea processing. Food Sci Nutr, 4: 456-468. – https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/fsn3.307#
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   Oolong tea polyphenols affect the inflammatory response to improve cognitive function by regulating gut microbiota, Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 105, 2023 – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464623001846#
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