Beverage consumption is generally worldwide, and the consumption of black tea is endorsed by many because they feel that it helps them feel rejuvenated after its consumption.
Of course, pregnant women are not excluded, who may crave a sip of tea that could be sweet, sour, spicy or even aromatic based on their bodies’ cravings at a particular period.
As an expectant mum, there are restrictions on certain things as your pregnancy progresses.
Here we discussed what black jack is all about and its health benefits. We also looked at drinking black jack tea during pregnancy. Read On
Table of Contents
- What is Black Jack?
- Why Your Body Craves For Black Tea
- Can I Drink Black Jack Tea During Pregnancy?
- Health Benefits Of Consuming Black Tea
- Alternatives To Black Tea For Pregnant Women
- FAQs
- Conclusion
What is Black Jack?
Blackjack, also known as “Bidens pilosa,” is an edible vegetable used in medicine, fodder, herbal tea, and spice.
Traditional medicines use all parts, including aerial parts (leaves, flowers, seeds, and stems) and fresh or dried roots. It’s usually made into a dry powder, decoction, maceration, or tincture.
To enjoy the health benefits, you can either eat the leaves raw, like green vegetables, or boiled and combined them with other dishes, such as cabbage, to make a tasty and healthy meal high in nutrients.
The leaves can also be used to prepare blackjack tea and juice. Despite its many uses, some communities still regard the plant as a weed.
Why Your Body Craves For Black Tea
Black tea contains caffeine, a stimulant, and its absorption in the bloodstream is very easy. It acts on the body when absorbed by waking the brain cells and making the body feel rejuvenated.
In pregnancy, tiredness is synonymous with that phase in life, and pregnant women quickly get tired. During this period, beverages like tea help with instant rejuvenation hence the preference for black tea during pregnancy.
What of the fragrance of the black tea? Consumers of this product claim that the inhalation of the aroma of this beverage aids in body relaxation. It can also calm the nerves and help with stress management.
Black tea contains antioxidants and antibacterial properties, and these properties aid in slowing the body’s aging process and help improve immunity.
Can I Drink Black Jack Tea During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy comes with lots of cravings. It is entirely ok to satisfy your craving for black tea by taking a sip.
Yes, blackjack tea is considered safe to drink during pregnancy. You have to drink responsibly and try not to overdo it while satisfying your craving for black tea.
In the peri-urban areas, midwives or elderly healthcare providers encourage pregnant women to consume iron-rich foods (for example, blackjack), also referred to as mustine.
Iron plays a huge role in the mother and child’s blood supply.
When consuming black jack tea during pregnancy, constantly monitor your caffeine intake and ensure you do not consume more than the required caffeine.
How Much Black Tea Can I Consume During Pregnancy?
It is safe to consume 200mg of caffeine daily during pregnancy, and you can find this in 2 cups (100ml) of your black tea.
Two cups are feasible when you do not consume other caffeinated foods. If you consume other caffeinated food, ensure that your net caffeine consumption is 200mg daily.
Consumption more than 200mg of caffeine daily can cause severe complications or side effects during pregnancy.
Adverse Effects Of Excessive Consumption Of Black Jack Tea
Excessive consumption of anything isn’t ideal, and black jar tea isn’t an exception. Here are the adverse effects associated with excessive consumption of black tea
- Miscarriage or congenital disabilities
- Headache
- Increased urination frequency
- Increased risk of anemia during pregnancy
- Could result in Insomnia
- Risk of low-weight babies
- Anxiety and difficulty sleeping
- Irregular heartbeat
Read Also: Can I drink Boba Tea While Pregnant?
Health Benefits Of Consuming Black Tea
Some of the health benefits loaded in black tea include the following
The Presence Of Theine
Theine, a caffeine in tea, has incredible benefits like stimulating the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
Rich in L-Theanine
There is the presence of L-Theanine in black tea, and this is an amino acid that helps in relaxing the body, calming nerves, and also helps in getting rid of stress.
Presence Of Antioxidant Properties
The presence of antioxidant properties of black tea helps them remove free radicals, decrease the rate of cell damage, and reduce the risk of chronic disease.
Improves Heart Health
Black tea contains another group of antioxidants called flavonoids that improves heart health.
Reduces The Risk Of Cancer
The presence of polyphenols has been found in black tea, and these help prevent cancer cell survival.
The consumption of black tea is not a cure for cancer, but its consumption can help decrease cancer cell development.
Increased Focusing Ability
According to research, black tea has been found to improve the focus of the individuals who regularly consume it.
This results from caffeine and an amino acid called L—theanine which increases the brain’s alpha activity, improving focus and alertness.
Alternatives To Black Tea For Pregnant Women
Because of the risk associated with excessive consumption of black jack tea during pregnancy, here are alternatives to black tea during pregnancy to prevent any threat to the mother and the developing baby.
1. Rooibos, Herbal Tea, and Infusions
Pregnant women can use rooibos and herbal teas as a substitute for black jar tea, and the reason for this is that they have soothing effects on the body and are caffeine-free.
The tea does not interfere with sleep nor affect nervousness, and their consumption can be at any time of the day.
It contains calcium antioxidants and nutrients that can aid your baby’s development, and the presence of free radicals in it is ideal for your skin.
2. Decaffeinated Tea
This tea is also a perfect substitute for black tea, and you can achieve this by decaffeinating your tea using hot water, discarding the hot water, and then repeating it a second time.
3. Ginger Pregnancy Tea
When consumed during pregnancy, this tea helps in soothing nausea and vomiting related to morning sickness.
It is efficacious in combating colds and sore throats and has been known to help clear up congestion.
4. Peppermint Tea
This tea can help ease digestive issues and heartburn when consumed during pregnancy.
It also has breath-freshening qualities, relieves gas and bloating as well as diarrhea, and when consumed before bedtime, it can alleviate muscle tension.
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- Can I Eat Sago Pearls During Pregnancy? Find Out
FAQs
How Do I Prepare BlackJack Tea?
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ ounces scotch
- 1 ounce of Kahlua
- ½ ounce triple sec
- ½ ounce lemon juice
How To Prepare:
Just shake the scotch, Kahlua, triple sec, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Then strain the contents of the shaker into an ice-chilled lowball or old-fashioned glass. Your tea is ready to be served.
Between Black Tea and Milk Tea, Which Tea is Better?
It is preferable to drink tea without milk, i.e., black tea. Tea without milk is beneficial; consuming too much sugar in tea harms your body.
Many studies have shown that tea has anti-inflammatory properties that protect you from dangerous diseases like cancer, but milk tea can harm you.
Between Black Tea and White Tea, Which Tea Is Better?
Researchers haven’t compared white tea to black tea in any studies, so it’s difficult to say which is healthier.
Because all true teas originate from the same leaves, they all contain many of the same vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that provide health benefits.
Is Coffee Better Than Black Tea?
Coffee contains a lot of antioxidants. Several studies have found that coffee contains more antioxidants than any other food group.
Black tea has several health benefits, including the improved cholesterol, gut health, and lower blood pressure.
Is Black Tea Good For Weight Loss?
Black tea contains the most caffeine, making it ideal for weight loss – the more the caffeine content, the more energy, which can help you burn more calories.
A 2014 study discovered that drinking three cups of black tea daily can increase weight loss and decrease waist circumference.
Read Also: Can I Drink Herbalife Tea While Breastfeeding? Explained
Conclusion
I am sure your question about blackjack tea during pregnancy has been answered. It is not wrong to crave black tea during pregnancy, and it’s also not wrong to satiate that urge.
If you must do that, remember that moderation is essential, and do not go far more than 200mg of caffeine in a day. Alternatively, try other alternatives for black tea that may have no adverse health implications.
