Control your caffeine intake while breastfeeding
Green tea contains theine. This is why, as with pregnant women, breastfeeding women must control their consumption. Caffeine, ingested in too large quantities, passes into breast milk and can be swallowed by the baby.
Did you know?
Theine and caffeine are in fact the same molecule, but they do not act in the same way on our body. The reasons?
- A cup of tea contains less theine than a cup of coffee. In other words, a cup of tea is less exciting than a cup of coffee.
- Even if they come from the same molecule, the body does not assimilate them in the same way. Caffeine is “bioavailable”, meaning it is immediately available and passes very quickly into the blood, while theine is released gradually over time. This is why we say that coffee is a stimulant while tea is a stimulant.
- Finally, tea contains a very specific amino acid called L-theanine which is said to act on anxiety. Associated with theine, it would be at the origin of this “energized calm” so associated with tea and is only present in this drink. Enough to reduce mental and physical stress!
Let us remember, however, that each person is unique and has a different tolerance and receptivity to caffeine/theine. The effects stated above are not necessarily felt by everyone.
How many cups of green tea per day while breastfeeding?
It's difficult to say how much theine a cup of green tea contains. Indeed, the theine level varies from one tea to another depending on the characteristics specific to its cultivation (season of harvest of the leaves and their content of buds). Additionally, each person will react differently to theine.
The French Food Safety Agency still recommends not exceeding 2 to 3 cups of green tea per day when breastfeeding*.
In addition, it is recommended to do your calculations over the day, this dose of theine must in fact be adjusted according to the other caffeinated foods that you consume such as chocolate, coffee or a soda.
There are no contraindications to drinking green tea, provided you consume it in moderation. Medical advice is always essential if you have any doubt. Kusmi Tea therefore advises you to ask your doctor.
Does drinking green tea reduce breast milk production while breastfeeding?
This question is frequently asked by mothers wishing to breastfeed or who are breastfeeding their baby. There is no evidence on the subject. We know that green tea reduces the assimilation of iron from plant foods by the body due to its richness in tannins, but we do not find any notable impact with regard to iron from meat*. To be absolutely certain that green tea does not interfere with your daily intake, we recommend that you space your cup of green tea between meals.
Can you drink decaffeinated or decaffeinated green tea while breastfeeding?
Yes, the process of making this type of green tea allows its theine content to be reduced. But be aware that it contains a residual quantity. In addition, this quantity varies from one tea to another.
How to choose your green tea while breastfeeding?
The most important thing is to ensure that the green tea is of quality, preferably with an organic designation. Indeed, this guarantees production and elaboration of tea while respecting the environment but also a pesticide-free product!
To discover our range of organic green tea made in Normandy, go to here.
The health benefits of green tea
Green tea has many health and body benefits:
- It is rich in antioxidants (catechins and particularly EGCG) playing an important role in protecting the body against certain diseases. Green tea helps fight against the action of free radicals and premature aging of cells.
- Thanks to L-theanine, green tea has a soothing effect. This amino acid would indeed have an action on the brain by leading to a reduction in mental and physical stress.
Herbal tea and infusion, alternatives to green tea
Herbal teas and infusions also represent a very good alternative for all mothers wishing to reduce or stop their tea consumption during breastfeeding. To find out which aroma and composition to choose, do not hesitate to ask your doctor. He will be able to advise you on the list of galactogenic plants (fennel, nettle, etc.) and herbal teas specially designed for this period.
There are therefore no contraindications to drinking green tea while breastfeeding, provided you control its consumption. It's all a question of quantity! Consuming green tea in moderation poses no danger to the baby and the mother continues to benefit from the benefits of this drink. If you have any doubts or questions, talk to your doctor.