When you are having a baby, it is difficult to remember what food and drinks aren't safe to eat during pregnancy and what you can continue to gorge yourself on guilt-free. Although ginger has many benefits, you might be wondering whether or not it's safe to consume ginger in pregnancy.
Many mums swear by ginger tea during pregnancy to help ease the morning sickness and nausea. And while there is a lot of discussion around whether herbal tea during pregnancy is safe, this is mainly down to hidden caffeine content which should be limited during pregnancy.
Is ginger in pregnancy safe?
As with all other herbal teas, ginger tea is safe during pregnancy when drunk in moderation. This is a maximum of 2-3 cups per day.
Drinking any herbal teas or caffeinated hot drinks in excess is not advised. Web MD explains that "Some experts worry that it could raise the risk of miscarriage, especially in high doses. It is not considered dangerous in less than 1500mg but check with your doctor".
Replacing traditional caffeinated drinks like coffee or tea with herbal alternatives as well as decaf coffee and decaf tea is a good idea as long as they are decaffeinated. Alternating between different types and flavours also helps to limit your exposure to plant chemicals potentially present in the herbal blends.
During the first trimester of pregnancy, ginger tea could be particularly helpful as it is thought to reduce symptoms of morning sickness and nausea. If pre-made ginger teas are not for you, you can always try boiling ginger to infuse the water and drinking it more simply with a slice of lemon or orange. The NHS recommend taking ginger supplements during pregnancy, although they stress the importance of checking with your doctor or pharmacist and of buying safe products in a pharmacy or supermarket.
Ginger tea benefits for pregnant women:
ginger tea benefits during pregnancy
1 of 91) Helps with morning sickness
Ginger is well known to have morning sickness and nausea fighting benefits. Try ginger tea or ginger in savoury foods like stir frys.
2 of 92) Soothes a sore throat
Ginger is often recommended to treat a cold in pregnancy as it can help ease the symptoms of a sore throat. It has soothing anti-inflammatory properties which can fight bad bacteria. It is a diaphoretic tea so it warms you from the inside and encourages perspiration which helps to flush out toxins and boost blood circulation.
3 of 93) Aids digestion
Constipation in pregnancy can be a real issue during thanks to pesky hormones like relaxin slowing everything down and causing digestion problems. Historically, ginger has been used to alleviate digestive issues. It is a carminative, which is a substrance "that promotes the elimination of excessive gas from the digestive system and soothes the intestinal tract" according to BBC Good Food.
4 of 94) Helps muscle repair
The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger mean it has the potential to speed up muscle repair after exercise.
5 of 95) Regulates blood sugar
According to Heathline "Over the years, ginger has been shown to help reduce blood sugar levels and help regulate insulin response in people with diabetes". Consuming small amounts of ginger in tea might be beneficial for gestational diabeteswhich some women suffer with during pregnancy.
6 of 96) Regulates cholesterol
Ginger has the potential to regulate cholesterol and reduce levels of bad LDL cholesterol. In The Saudi Medical Journal researchers tested cholesterol levels in participants who were given ginger as opposed to placebo groups. The participants who had ginger had lower levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides levels.
7 of 97) Helps with anxiety
Ginger is not just delicious but it can help with stress and anxiety. Is there anything ginger can't do? It containts 14 unique compounds and antioxidants. They can sharpen cognitive function and protect the brain againt stress. It may also have an impact on serotonin levels which could lessen anxiety.
8 of 98) Boosts immunity
Gingers boosts your immunity and immune system in general. It is antibacterial, is a natural blood thinner and anti-inflammatory which all contribues to a healthy body.
9 of 99) Fights cancer
A study in the Official Journal of the Balkan Union of Oncology found that ginger can inhibit some cancerous forms. It's non-toxic benefits activate the immune system, stopping cancer developing. It even has the power to kill existing cancer cells and prevent the spread of tumours. AMAZING.