Red Raspberry Leaf Tea During Pregnancy: What Are the Benefits?
Red raspberry is a traditional remedy for women during and after pregnancy. The raspberry leaf is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and iron as well as antioxidants.
In today’s article, we will talk about its benefits for pregnant women.
Helps with Morning Sickness
The American Pregnancy Association has reported that red raspberry leaf tea reduces nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Although many doctors and midwives disagree, research studies have confirmed that consuming the tea can help with morning sickness, a condition common in the first trimester.
Red raspberry leaf tea is safe during all three trimesters. The herb is a rich source of vitamins, zinc, and other minerals that help decrease nausea, tone the uterus and increase milk production.
Reduces the Risk of Cancer
Research shows that every 1 in 3,000 pregnancies is affected by breast cancer. Red raspberries leaf tea is a rich source of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Consuming the tea nourishes your body with vitamin C, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc.
These nutrients have excellent anti-cancer properties that reduce the risk of developing breast and cervical cancer. The tea also contains flavonoids and tannins, which are essential polyphenols that protect your cells from damage. Besides, it contains ellagic acids that fight against cariogenic substances in your body.Â
Decreases Inflammation
Red raspberry leaf tea is loaded with polyphenols and antioxidants. It is beneficial for women above 35 years of age who are at risk of developing inflammatory disorders during pregnancy. The natural compounds found in red raspberry leaf protect cells from damage, slow down aging, and decreases inflammation.
Consuming it can also lower the risk of chronic illnesses, such as Type II diabetes, heart disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease. Because these disorders are linked to inflammation, drinking red raspberry tea can help prevent them.
Boosts Immune System
According to the American Pregnancy Association, pregnant women often have a weakened immune system, making them more prone to getting illnesses. Because the red raspberry leaf tea has higher quantities of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, it can strengthen a pregnant woman’s immune system.
A powerful natural defense of your body protects your cellular system from harmful molecules called free radicals. That way, your immune system fights against foreign particles like bacteria and viruses, streamlining other systems’ functionality and making things easier for your developing fetus.
Helps Shorten Labor
Health professionals say that consumption of red raspberry leaf tea can shorten labor. The leaf is a rich source of compounds like fragarine that loosens your tight pelvic muscles and smoothens the uterine wall to make delivery easier.
A recent study found that women who consumed red raspberry tea in the later stage of pregnancy had a shorten labor. Another study found that the tea can shorten the second stage labor by nine minutes.
An Australian-based retrospective study found that women who drank the tea had reduced the likelihood of requiring C-section, forceps, and other interventions during birth. The compound fragarine helps tone the uterus and modulates contractions to prevent premature birth.
Although there is some evidence that raspberry tea can induce labor, it can cause complications in specific scenarios. For instance, if you plan to have a C-section or had one in the past, you should avoid drinking it.
Likewise, if you are expecting twins, have had preterm labor in the past, vaginal bleeding during the second trimester, avoid drinking the tea. If you take medications like metformin, codeine, Ephedrine, or antidepressants, the raspberry tea compounds can hinder these drugs’ action mechanism in the body during pregnancy.
How much tea should you take during pregnancy?
According to the European Medicines Agency and NHS, a pregnant woman can consume a 250ml cup of red raspberry leaf tea. Bear in mind that you should not drink more than three cups a day. It is best to start drinking the tea at 32 weeks of pregnancy.
Final Words
There are several benefits of consuming red raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy. For instance, it can boost your immune system, reduce inflammation, improve blood circulation to the placenta, help with nausea, vomiting, and even lower breast cancer risk.
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