Is Matcha Tea Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated April 13, 2026
The Answer
Yes, with caution. Matcha tea is safe during pregnancy when consumed in moderation, but you need to monitor your total daily caffeine intake. Limit matcha to 1-2 cups per day to stay under the recommended 200mg caffeine limit.
Matcha contains caffeine, which crosses the placenta and can affect fetal development at high levels. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends limiting total caffeine to under 200mg per day from all sources including coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate. Since matcha has more caffeine than regular green tea (about 70mg per cup), it's important to track your intake carefully.
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✓ What's Safe
- • Pure matcha powder without added herbs like ginseng or hibiscus
- • Limit to 1-2 cups (or 1-2 teaspoons of powder) per day
- • Track total daily caffeine from all sources to stay under 200mg
- • Choose ceremonial or culinary grade matcha from reputable brands
- • Opt for matcha lattes made with pasteurized milk
✗ What to Avoid
- • Matcha products containing ginseng - linked to embryonic abnormalities in animal studies
- • Matcha blends with hibiscus - has hormonal activity and potential anti implantation effects
- • Products with high fructose corn syrup - associated with gestational diabetes risk
- • Matcha drinks with licorice root - linked to lower IQ and attention problems in children
- • Energy style matcha drinks with multiple caffeine sources
- • Consuming more than 200mg total caffeine daily from all sources
Most Common Ingredients in Matcha Tea Products
We analyzed 75 matcha tea products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Matcha Tea
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 75 matcha tea products we analyzed.
high fructose corn syrup
CAUTION
High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener derived from corn starch and widely used in processed foods and beverages. Has been associated with placental insufficiency, fetal growth restriction, and metabolic programming of offspring in animal studies, and with gestational diabetes and preeclampsia in epidemiological studies of humans.
Found in 8 of 75 products (11%)
ginseng extract
CAUTION
Ginseng extract is an herbal supplement for energy and immunity. May cause embryonic abnormalities based on animal studies and increases bleeding risk.
Found in 7 of 75 products (9%)
ginseng root extract
CAUTION
Ginseng root extract is an herbal supplement for energy and immunity. May cause embryonic abnormalities based on animal studies and increases bleeding risk.
Found in 5 of 75 products (7%)
hibiscus
CAUTION
Hibiscus is a tropical plant used in teas for antioxidant benefits. Has hormonal activity and may have anti implantation effects based on animal studies.
Found in 5 of 75 products (7%)
black tea
CAUTION
Black tea is a caffeinated beverage from tea leaves. May increase risk of gestational hypertension and inhibits iron absorption at high consumption levels.
Found in 4 of 75 products (5%)
sodium benzoate
CAUTION
Sodium benzoate is a food preservative in beverages and processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses and may form benzene when combined with vitamin C.
Found in 3 of 75 products (4%)
licorice root
CAUTION
Licorice root is an herb used in teas and traditional remedies. Is associated with lower IQ and attention problems in children when consumed heavily during pregnancy.
Found in 2 of 75 products (3%)
siberian ginseng
CAUTION
Siberian ginseng is an herbal supplement for energy and immunity. May cause embryonic abnormalities based on animal studies and increases bleeding risk.
Found in 2 of 75 products (3%)
Matcha Tea Products We've Analyzed
We graded 75 matcha tea products for pregnancy safety. 42 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Matcha Tea Products
We found 42 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Green Tea | — |
Your Questions Answered
Is matcha tea safe during pregnancy?
Yes, matcha tea is generally safe during pregnancy when consumed in moderation. The key is staying within the recommended caffeine limit of 200mg per day from all sources. One cup of matcha contains approximately 70mg of caffeine, so 1-2 cups daily is typically safe. However, you should account for caffeine from other sources like coffee, soda, and chocolate in your daily total.
What are the risks of matcha during pregnancy?
The primary concern with matcha during pregnancy is its caffeine content. Excessive caffeine intake has been linked to increased risk of miscarriage and low birth weight. Additionally, some matcha products contain added ingredients like ginseng or hibiscus that should be avoided during pregnancy. Matcha can also inhibit iron absorption, so avoid drinking it with iron rich meals or prenatal vitamins.
Can I drink matcha while pregnant?
Yes, you can drink matcha while pregnant, but moderation is essential. Experts recommend limiting matcha to one to two cups per day, or one to two teaspoons of matcha powder daily. This keeps you well within the 200mg daily caffeine limit recommended by ACOG. Many pregnant women successfully switch from coffee to matcha since it provides a gentler energy boost with less caffeine per serving.
What teas should I avoid while pregnant?
During pregnancy, avoid teas containing herbs like ginseng, hibiscus, licorice root, and St. John's wort. These herbs have been linked to potential pregnancy complications in studies. Also avoid teas with excessive caffeine or those marketed as energy or detox teas. Stick to plain matcha, peppermint, ginger, or rooibos teas in moderation. Always check ingredient labels for hidden herbs.
How much caffeine is in matcha compared to coffee?
A typical cup of matcha contains about 70mg of caffeine, while a cup of brewed coffee has approximately 95-200mg depending on the brew strength. This makes matcha a popular coffee alternative for pregnant women trying to reduce caffeine intake. However, matcha's caffeine is released more slowly due to L theanine, providing sustained energy without the jitters or crash associated with coffee.
Can I drink matcha lattes while pregnant?
Yes, matcha lattes are safe during pregnancy when made properly. Ensure the latte is made with pasteurized milk and pure matcha powder without problematic additives like ginseng or hibiscus. Café-made matcha lattes may contain more matcha powder than homemade versions, so ask about portion sizes. Limit yourself to one matcha latte per day to stay within safe caffeine limits.
How Do We Score Products for Pregnancy Safety?
We analyze each product's ingredients and category to flag known risks and provide cautionary notices for general category safety concerns.
A - Safe
Excellent choice! All ingredients are considered safe during pregnancy.
What to do: Use with confidence.
B - Likely Safe
Pretty much safe with very minimal risk. Some ingredients may have limited pregnancy studies, but no significant safety concerns have been identified.
What to do: Use with confidence.
C - Limit
Contains ingredients with some pregnancy considerations. Research shows these ingredients may have limited safety data, potential for minor hormonal effects, or require caution based on animal studies.
What to do: Use sparingly and consider safer alternatives when available.
D - Caution
Similar to C grade but contains multiple cautionary ingredients. The combination increases overall concern.
What to do: Try to avoid if that makes you feel better. If you've already used it, no need to panic.
F - Avoid
Contains ingredients with established risks during pregnancy. Research shows these can cause birth defects, developmental harm, or serious maternal complications.
What to do: Do not use during pregnancy. If you've already used it, don't worry - contact your OBGYN if concerned.
People Also Checked
See our full guide to tea during pregnancy.
References
- https://www.acog.org/womens health/experts and stories/ask acog/how much coffee can i-drink while pregnant
- https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical guidance/committee opinion/articles/2010/08/moderate caffeine consumption during pregnancy
- https://thrivemarket.com/blog/heres a-convincing reason to avoid high fructose corn syrup during pregnancy
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1203063/full
- https://www.nature.com/articles/srep25091
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0955286322000225
- https://www.orlandohealth.com/content hub/why you should not consume high fructose corn syrup if you are pregnant/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7441786/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35123000/
- https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/32/12/2314/25900/Dietary Risk Factors for Gestational Diabetes
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916522034220
- https://medicine.washu.edu/news/high fructose diet pregnancy may harm placenta restrict fetal growth/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6685737/
- https://www.cdc.gov/maternal infant health/pregnancy diabetes/index.html
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5491864/
- https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1113/JP274066
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4398903/
- https://www.obgproject.com/2023/01/02/acog releases updated guidance gestational diabetes/
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.848983/full
- https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.07.02.600389v1.full text
