Earl Grey Tea Caffeine: Is It Safe During Pregnancy?

Maybe it's better to steer clear of your daily cup o' tea till you give birth.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Bhawna AgarwalDr. Bhawna Agarwal, MBBS, MS (Obstetrics & Gynecology)
By Priyanka SadhukhanPriyanka Sadhukhan, MSc (Nutrition), Certified Diabetes Educator  • 

All tea lovers cherish earl Grey tea. But can you have Earl Grey tea during pregnancy? Are there any safety concerns you should be aware of? Will the caffeine content affect you?

Go through this detailed post to learn about the caffeine content of Earl Grey tea and its safety during pregnancy.

Earl Grey Tea Or Black Tea

Earl grey tea in a galss cup and kettle

Image: Shutterstock

Earl Grey tea is a mixture of black tea and bergamot oil (BGO) (1). It has a bold and citrusy flavor due to the addition of synthetic or natural bergamot oil.

Bergamot orange is an aromatic citrus fruit commonly found in the Mediterranean. The taste may vary from one producer to the other. However, in general, its taste is bold and refreshing.

Trivia
The tea was named after Charles Grey, the second Earl Grey and British Prime Minister in the 1830s. He received this bergamot oil-flavored tea as a diplomatic perk.

Caffeine Content In Earl Grey Tea

Earl grey tea and tea leaves

Image: Shutterstock

Traditional Earl Grey tea contains caffeine, the exceptions being herbal Earl Grey tea or its decaffeinated variants.

The caffeine content in Earl Grey tea varies depending upon the producer. But, in general, it is almost similar to the amount of caffeine in other black teas.

A regular cup of Earl Grey tea contains approximately 55-65 mg of caffeine (2). Decaffeinated Earl Grey tea contains lesser caffeine.

But, is Earl Grey tea safe to drink while pregnant? Does it have any adverse effects? Read on to find out.

How Safe Is Earl Grey Tea During Pregnancy?

Pregnant woman having Earl grey tea

Image: Shutterstock

Earl Grey tea is extremely popular. Hence, you will find innumerable flavors in this type of tea. Though tea offers several health benefits, research has shown that too much intake of any form of black tea can lead to serious side effects due to its caffeine content.

Several studies have found that high caffeine intake (>150 mg/day) during pregnancy may result in an increased risk of low birth weight (in the infant), spontaneous abortion, and restricted fetal growth (3), (4), (5).

However, limiting your caffeine intake to 1-2 cups per day is not a cause for concern, even in pregnancy (6).

It is always advisable to consult your doctor before experimenting with any beverages.

Hence, even though Earl Grey tea is soothing in nature, make sure to drink it only in moderation during pregnancy.

How Much Should You Drink?

Earl grey tea leaves

Image: Shutterstock

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the American Institute of Medicine, caffeine intake should be limited to less than 200 mg/day during pregnancy (7).

Health experts say that ingesting around 250 mg of caffeine per day is safe for adults, but only if you are maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

In pregnant women, the ingestion should be restricted to around 150 mg/day.

Drinking too much Earl Grey tea is harmful to the health of the fetus as well as the mother.

So, if you are breastfeeding or are pregnant, you should restrict your consumption to 1-2 cups to avoid complications.

Quick Tip
You may add milk depending on the blend. Generally, stronger black tea varieties, like Ceylon, go well with cream or milk.

Now, let’s check out the potential side effects of this popular tea in pregnant women.

Possible Side Effects Of Earl Grey Tea In Pregnant Women

Pregnant woman having headache

Image: Shutterstock

The possible side effects of Earl Grey tea in pregnant women include:

  • Headaches
  • Nervousness
  • Sleeplessness
  • Irritability
  • Heartburn
  • Confusion
  • Irregular heart rate
  • Tremors
  • Convulsions

If you have developed a psychological or physiological dependence on this beverage, withdrawal from it can also lead to mental health-related issues such as insomnia, anxiety, hyperactivity, and confusion.

According to a study conducted in the Netherlands, too much caffeine consumption from tea (>300 mg/day) may lead to pregnancy-induced hypertension (8). However, further research is required to substantiate these claims.

Earl Grey tea is a blend of bergamot oil and black tea. Traditional earl grey tea contains caffeine, and its content depends on the producer. However, drinking too much caffeine during pregnancy is linked with several side effects. Hence, restrict its consumption to 1-2 cups per day during pregnancy. However, it is always advisable to consult your doctor before drinking any new beverages. In addition, switching over to decaffeinated black tea is the best solution to avoid any negative effects of caffeine during pregnancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What teas are safe to drink while pregnant?

Tea that is low in caffeine content or decaffeinated tea is safe to drink while pregnant. But, nothing in excess is advisable during pregnancy. So, consult your doctor before drinking any beverages.

Is Earl Grey tea high in caffeine?

Earl Grey tea contains almost the same amount of caffeine as black tea. Herbal varieties and decaffeinated Earl Grey tea contain a lesser amount of caffeine.

Do you put milk in Earl Grey tea?

Earl Grey tea should be taken without milk to enjoy its subtle flavor.

Does Earl Grey tea keep you awake?

Earl Grey tea contains lesser caffeine compared to coffee, so drinking a cup of it in the evening will not keep you awake like other beverages. However, the effects might be subject to differences depending on factors like physiological state, caffeine tolerance, lifestyle, and dietary habits.

What is the difference between Earl Grey and English breakfast tea?

Earl Grey tea is a blend of black tea and bergamot oil. It has a citrus flavor that can be enjoyed without milk. English breakfast tea is mainly the Ceylon variety of tea that is enjoyed with milk and sugar.

Is it OK to drink Earl Grey tea at night?

Yes, you can drink Earl Grey tea at night as it helps you calm down and relax.

Is Earl Grey tea calming?

Yes, the bergamot oil in Earl Grey tea helps in soothing the nerves and calming your anxiety (10).

Is Earl Grey stronger than green tea?

Yes, Earl Grey tea has more caffeine than green tea. It has 30-60 mg of caffeine per cup, while green tea generally has 20-30 mg of caffeine per cup.

Key Takeaways

  • Earl Grey tea is a combination of black tea and bergamot oil.
  • Its high caffeine content can lead to low birth weight and restricted fetal growth during pregnancy.
  • Consuming Earl Grey tea during pregnancy can cause heartburn, confusion, and nervousness.
  • One can drink 1 to 2 cups of this tea every day during pregnancy safely.

Sources

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Check out our editorial policy for further details.
  • Navarra, Michele et al. “Citrus bergamia essential oil: from basic research to clinical application.” Frontiers in pharmacologyvol. 6 36. 2 Mar. 2015, doi:10.3389/fphar.2015.00036
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4345801/
  • Bunker, M L, and M McWilliams. “Caffeine content of common beverages.” Journal of the American Dietetic Associationvol. 74,1 (1979): 28-32.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/762339
  • Fernandes, O et al. “Moderate to heavy caffeine consumption during pregnancy and relationship to spontaneous abortion and abnormal fetal growth: a meta-analysis.” Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.)vol. 12,4 (1998): 435-44. doi:10.1016/s0890-6238(98)00024-0
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9717693
  • Weng, Xiaoping et al. “Maternal caffeine consumption during pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage: a prospective cohort study.” American journal of obstetrics and gynecologyvol. 198,3 (2008): 279.e1-8. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2007.10.803
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18221932
  • Bakker, Rachel et al. “Maternal caffeine intake from coffee and tea, fetal growth, and the risks of adverse birth outcomes: the Generation R Study.” The American journal of clinical nutritionvol. 91,6 (2010): 1691-8. doi:10.3945/ajcn.2009.28792
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20427730
  • Morgan, Sara et al. “Is caffeine consumption safe during pregnancy?.” Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadienvol. 59,4 (2013): 361-2.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3625078/
  • Wierzejska, Regina et al. “Caffeine Intake During Pregnancy and Neonatal Anthropometric Parameters.” Nutrientsvol. 11,4 806. 9 Apr. 2019, doi:10.3390/nu11040806
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6520888/
  • van der Hoeven, Timothy et al. “Antenatal coffee and tea consumption and the effect on birth outcome and hypertensive pregnancy disorders.” PloS onevol. 12,5 e0177619. 16 May. 2017, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0177619
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28520809
  • Rombolà L, Tridico L, Scuteri D, Sakurada T, Sakurada S, Mizoguchi H, Avato P, Corasaniti MT, Bagetta G, Morrone LA. Bergamot Essential Oil Attenuates Anxiety-Like Behaviour in Rats. Molecules. 2017 Apr 11;22(4):614.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6154596/
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