Pregnancy is a time in life when women often face new and weird aches and pains. You’ll start aching in places you never thought was possible. This is because of hormonal changes and because the ligaments in your body start loosening up to make your body ready for delivery.
Those who have gone through the phase of pregnancy, think about that time you were having horrible back ache or round ligament pain, what was the one thing that comforted you? Many women would agree that a nice hot cup of tea or coffee was all that they needed during this time and it provided solace to their soul.
The Significance of Tea During Pregnancy
Tea is a beverage consumed all over the world. It is made from different types of leaves, which are processed (dried, fermented etc.) and then the tea, which could be in the form of leaves, or it could be powder, is then steeped in hot or cold water, people also add milk and sugar to it, and then it makes the perfect concoction of flavor.
Tea is often the go-to option for people who want a kick to their day, and the caffeine in tea helps with relieving headaches, with providing that extra kick and giving you the start you need. However, caffeine is a complete no-no during pregnancy.
There are many reasons why caffeine is harmful during pregnancy and that is why women who are habitual of drinking tea, opt for organic pregnancy tea which is naturally caffeine-free and is manufactured keeping in mind the needs of pregnant women.
There are many different flavors of organic pregnancy tea, and one of the most famous ones is rooibos tea.
What is Rooibos Tea?
Rooibos, as unique as the name, is a native plant that originates from South Africa and usually has a reddish tinge to it, that is why the tea is often referred to as ‘red tea’, ‘red bush tea’, or ‘African red tea’. Some species of Rooibos are also green, and that is a more expensive type of tea.
Rooibos (pronounced as “Roy-boss”) is a sort of herbal tea, as it naturally does not contain any caffeine and so it is usually not classified as black or green tea. It comes under the category of red tea. It has an earthy and nutty flavor, with vanilla undertones. It is considered one of the best organic pregnancy tea options available.
Why is Rooibos Tea Great for Pregnancy?
There is a lot of speculation as to why people are now suddenly opting for rooibos tea for pregnancy instead of regular black or green tea, which used to be the preferred option before. This is because of the countless benefits rooibos tea offers, most of which the other variants do not propose.
The reason why rooibos tea is garnering fame everyday, and this can be seen with the emergence of many different variations of beverages containing rooibos, for example, early on, rooibos tea was consumed like green tea, steeped in water, or by following the standard South African way, steeping it in hot water, then adding milk and sugar.
But nowadays, you will find rooibos tea lattes, iced rooibos tea, rooibos flavored ice-cream and what not. This is because rooibos offers many benefits and is delicious in taste as well. Some of the many benefits are:
1. Low Tannin Levels
Rooibos naturally has low levels of tannin. Tannins are compounds that are naturally present in green or black tea. Tannins are considered to be antioxidants and helpful with controlling cholesterol and blood pressure, but tannins also interfere with the absorption of iron in the human body, and high amounts of tannin could eventually lead to iron deficiency.
Rooibos tea have less tannins than green or black tea and that is why it is a healthier option for pregnant women as iron consumption is essential for pregnancy and to maintain haemoglobin levels, iron deficiency causes great problems during pregnancy and that is why such things that create deficiencies should be avoided.
2. Full of Antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds that are beneficial for the human body, they help protect the body from heart ailments, from certain cancers, reduce damage caused by oxidation and many others, help with cleansing the liver, and protect the cells from free radicals. Rooibos tea is full of antioxidants, especially polyphenols, aspalathin, and quercetin.
Aspalathin
Aspalathin is a naturally occurring flavonoid present in Rooibos tea. Some studies have shown that this compound has the properties of bringing down blood sugar levels, helps with metabolism and help control obesity.
Quercetin
Quercetin is a plant pigment that has the ability to reduce inflammation, reduce swelling, control blood sugar, prevent heart diseases and kill cancer cells.
Polyphenols
Polyphenols are naturally occuring micronutrients present in rooibos tea. Polyphenols are antioxidants that are great for improving digestion, improving brain function, protecting against blood clots, controlling blood sugar and prevent heart diseases.
3. Caffeine free
The most significant thing about rooibos tea is that it is free of any caffeine and that is why it is a great drink to be had in pregnancy. Caffeine is a compound present in most teas, which can be harmful for you and the baby during pregnancy and that is why drinks that are caffeine-free are always preferred during this time.
4. Multiple Health Benefits
Rooibos tea is great for the heart, and for controlling blood sugar levels, which is essential in pregnancy, it helps with cleansing the liver so women would not have to worry about liver-related issues during pregnancy.
It fights obesity and helps maintain your weight. It also helps with anxiety and sleep-related problems, so rooibos tea would be ideal during the third trimester when insomnia and sleep deprivation kick in.
Risks of Consuming Rooibos Tea In Pregnancy
There are no risks per se, as this is a medically proven, and safe drink to be had in pregnancy. However, there is not enough study or research done on this topic to be completely sure. Therefore, it is advisable to consume rooibos tea in moderation during pregnancy to be on the safer side. 2-3 cups a day should be more than enough.
How to Make Rooibos Tea
There are many different ways to make rooibos tea, and people can choose whatever way they like. However, the most common ways to brew are:
The Native South African way
The South African standard way is to boil a cup of water, once the water is on a rolling boil, add the tea leaves (1-2 teaspoons) and let it steep for a few minutes. Strain the tea leaves, then, add milk and sweeten it sugar and enjoy.
The Contemporary Style
The contemporary way is the one which is often preferred by pregnant women as it does not have sugar or milk. This requires you to boil a cup of water, then add the tea leaves and steep for a few minutes, or till the desired color of the tea is reached. Then, strain the tea leaves and sip away.
The best part is that unlike black or green tea, if you steep rooibos tea too long, it does not get bitter, it only gets stronger.
Verdict
Rooibos tea is a great alternative for tea-drinkers during pregnancy. It has all the benefits (and more) and none of the risks. It has balanced flavors and the thing that is the most significant about rooibos tea is that unlike other variants of pregnancy tea, rooibos can be consumed throughout your pregnancy, from your first day to the end of your pregnancy.
There are many brands that offer freshly fermented rooibos tea, and some of them are My Red Tea, Numi Rooibos Tea, Traditional Medicinals Reishi Mushroom with Rooibos and Orange Peel and many others.
Rooibos tea is a great blend to have in your pantry, and once you start drinking it, there is no going back.
