Green tea in pregnancy? No thanks
Who would have said it already, who would have said it! No thank you, for nine months we do without it. And not only green tea, but also black tea and oolong tea: these teas are characterized by important polyphenolic compounds, catechins, especially epigallocatechin-gallate, essential because they protect us against certain tumour forms and make green tea an effective remedy to control cholesterol and triglycerides.
On the other hand, however, these catechins inhibit particular enzymes (such as dihydrofolate reductase) which reduce the possibility of absorption of folic acid, which is indispensable to ensure the health of the foetus.
The University of Tokyo itself, in a study on the interactions between green tea and absorption of folic acid in the intestinal level, has demonstrated the reduction of folates when accompanied by the use of tea rather than water, for example.
It is therefore not recommended to use green tea, black tea and catechin-rich oolong tea during pregnancy, despite the many beneficial effects that characterize them.
