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About green tea and pregnancy.

Hi to everyone- I am pretty new to this site. I am very excited about the antioxidant qualities of green tea BUT regarding pregnancy and conceiving please read this link on MSNBC- health regarding the possible green tea effects (the antagonistic effects on folic acid):
http://www.msnbc.msn.co
m/id/7187847/

"Th
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findings could also explain why women who drink large amounts of green tea around the time they conceive and early in their pregnancy may have an increased risk of having a child with spina bifida or other neural tube disorders.
Women are advised to take supplements of folic acid because it protects against spina bifida. But large amounts of green tea could decrease the effectiveness of folic acid."

Like most of you I think I am a fan of green tea and I recommend it to everyone, but it seems not to be indicated in pregnancy or at least in the first part of it. On the other hand the risk might only for women drinking really large amounts of green tea/day. I do not think it should be a real problem for those who drink 1 cup a day and also take regularly folic acid supplements. But it is important that we all be aware of this new aspect of green tea.

Hope this helps.

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