Can You Drink Matcha While Pregnant?

Ah, a nice, hot, steamy cup of matcha… ☕

This Japanese green tea is perfect for any occasion, right?

Well, some aren’t so sure…

We’ve already covered how matcha affects your fertility if you’re TTC, but the big question is — can you drink matcha while you’re pregnant? 🤰

Let’s find out together. 👇

In this article: 📝

What is matcha?

Let’s first have a quick refresher on what matcha actually is.

Matcha is a type of green tea, made up from the finely ground powder of leaves from the Camellia Sinensis plant. 🍃

It’s a popular powder to add to coffees, as well as having the option to enjoy it as a herbal tea.

As it's grown in the shade during its growth period, that means several different compounds are enhanced to make matcha that little bit more special. 💫

One of these is caffeine (we’d imagine you’ve heard of this one… 😅).

Others include chlorophyll, L-theanine, and a number of catechins (natural antioxidants). 👩‍🔬

Catechins help to reduce oxidative stress in the body, and prevent cellular damage.

So, matcha really has a lot going on. 🙌

It’s no wonder it’s such a popular choice of hot beverage.

In fact, the matcha tea industry is projected to reach US$5.5 billion by 2027 🤯.

Is matcha safe to drink when you’re pregnant? 🤰

So, let’s get down to it.

How safe is matcha to drink while you’re growing a tiny human?

While some things are strictly on the red list of NOT consuming while pregnant, like raw fish, alcohol, and some soft cheeses, you’ll be glad to know matcha isn’t one of them.

But it is a bit of a gray area.

Some people think it’s generally safe to drink matcha when pregnant.

It’s thought that as long as you’re drinking it in moderation, it should be safe — as too much matcha will increase your caffeine intake which, as we know, should also be consumed in moderation when you’re pregnant.

How much caffeine does matcha have?

But 1 gram of matcha contains around 35-50mg of caffeine.

This means you could actually have up to about 4 cups of matcha a day (as long as they have 1g or less of matcha in each) and still be under the recommended caffeine limit of 200mg. 👍

But, because of the potential interference with vital pregnancy supplements, like folic acid (more on this below 👇), others think you should steer clear of matcha when you’re pregnant.

Best bet?

Ask your doctor. 👩‍⚕️

They’ll be able to advise whether you should include matcha in your pregnancy diet, or whether it’s another drink to swerve.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that matcha can also be included in energy drinks, chocolate, and some supplements, too. 🍫

So, keep an eye on the caffeine content of these products (as it can really vary!), to make sure you’re keeping to the caffeine guidelines.

Can matcha affect your folic acid intake?

While some say matcha is safe to drink while pregnant, some studies say matcha might interfere with your folic acid. 😬

Folic acid is an essential supplement for the formation of the baby’s central nervous system — so much so, that it’s recommended to start taking it before you’re actually pregnant.

But some studies say that catechins — like the ones present in matcha — can stop folic acid absorption.

Without folic acid, your baby’s brain, skull, and spinal cord might not develop properly, and you might be at more risk for development problems, such as spina bifida.

So, again, it’s best to check in with the doctor before you start taking anything.

The last thing you’d want is to undo all your hard work of taking folic acid, for it not to absorb properly because of your cup of matcha. ☕

Benefits of drinking matcha while pregnant

But, if your doc does give it the green light, and you feel comfortable drinking it throughout your pregnancy, there are some associated benefits of taking matcha when you’re pregnant:

💆‍♀️ Stress

Matcha contains an amino acid called L-theanine, which is thought to help manage stress and anxiety.

As you’ve probably heard, stress = bad for baby. 🙅‍♀️

So reducing stress levels while you’re pregnant could keep both you and baby in a calm, relaxed state, which is safer for the pregnancy. 😌

🔥 Inflammation and swelling

On top of that, matcha is rich in antioxidants.

These are thought to help prevent cell damage, lower the risk of certain diseases, and reduce inflammation…

(Which, as we know, can be very needed during pregnancy 🫠).

🧠 Brain health

It’s also bursting with chlorophyll!

This handy little compound detoxifies harmful substances in your body — reducing their impact on your brain health.

It’s also thought to improve overall cognitive function. 🤓

But, drinking matcha while you’re pregnant isn’t for everyone — so, despite its potential benefits, it’s important to get the go-ahead from the doc beforehand.

So, if we’re real with you, it’s a bit unclear whether you can drink matcha when you’re pregnant. 🤷‍♀️

Some say yes, some say no, some say in moderation…

Best thing to do though is chat with your doctor — they’ll be able to provide some clarity around what’s best for you, and your individual pregnancy journey.

Want to know what other women did during their pregnancy?

That’s exactly what our Community is for. 🥜