Can you drink Matcha while pregnant?

Yes, you can drink matcha while pregnant, but it contains caffeine, so it needs to count towards your daily caffeine intake.

The NHS advises having no more than 200mg of caffeine a day during pregnancy. Matcha is made from green tea leaves, and green tea contains caffeine. The amount in a matcha drink can vary depending on how much matcha powder is used, the product itself and the size of the drink.

So, you do not necessarily need to give up your matcha. The practical approach is to check how much caffeine is in your usual serving and include it alongside any other caffeine you have that day.

Why does matcha contain caffeine?

Matcha is a type of green tea. Unlike a standard cup of green tea, where the leaves are steeped in water and then removed, matcha is made by whisking powdered tea leaves into liquid.

Green tea naturally contains caffeine. The NHS estimates that a cup of black or green tea contains around 75mg of caffeine, although the exact amount in individual drinks can vary.

Matcha does not always contain the same amount as an ordinary cup of green tea. Its caffeine content depends on factors such as the amount of powder used and the particular product. This is why it is better to check the information for the matcha you actually drink rather than relying on one universal figure.

If you buy a matcha latte from a café, the café may provide caffeine or nutrition information online or be able to tell you how much matcha goes into the drink.

How much caffeine can you have during pregnancy?

Current NHS guidance says you should not have more than 200mg of caffeine a day during pregnancy.

Caffeine is not only found in matcha, coffee and tea. It can also be present in cola, energy drinks, chocolate, some tablets, guarana and certain health or fitness supplements.

The NHS gives these approximate figures:

100mg in a cup of instant coffee
75mg in a cup of black or green tea
40mg in a can of cola
80mg in a 250ml can of energy drink
Less than 25mg in a 50g bar of plain dark chocolate
Less than 10mg in a 50g bar of plain milk chocolate

These figures make it easier to see why your whole day matters. A matcha drink may fit within the recommended limit, but coffee, tea, cola, chocolate and other caffeinated products can all add to the total.

Why is caffeine limited in pregnancy?

The NHS recommends limiting caffeine because having too much has been linked to a higher chance of miscarriage and stillbirth.

Tommy’s also advises keeping caffeine intake below 200mg a day during pregnancy. Its pregnancy guidance notes that caffeine is found in tea, coffee, cola, energy drinks and chocolate, so it can be easy to consume it from several sources without necessarily thinking about the combined amount.

This does not mean that every caffeinated drink needs to be avoided. It means keeping your total caffeine intake within pregnancy guidance.

If you are trying to conceive, Tommy’s also suggests beginning to limit caffeine before pregnancy.

Is a matcha latte different from plain matcha?

The caffeine still comes from the matcha itself, whether you drink it with water or as a latte.

What can change considerably is the serving. One café might use a different quantity of matcha powder from another, and larger drinks may not always contain the same amount of matcha as smaller ones.

If caffeine information is available, use that rather than estimating from the size of the cup alone.

A matcha latte may also contain milk, a plant-based drink, sweeteners, syrups or other ingredients depending on how it is prepared. If you have been given individual dietary advice during pregnancy, check how your usual drink fits with that advice.

What about iced matcha?

Iced matcha still contains caffeine if it is made with regular matcha powder.

Ice does not make the caffeine disappear. Again, the useful question is how much matcha powder or caffeine is in the serving.

Ready-to-drink bottled matcha products can also differ from freshly prepared matcha. Check the label for caffeine and other ingredients rather than assuming every matcha drink is equivalent.

Can you have matcha every day while pregnant?

Pregnancy guidance focuses on your overall daily caffeine intake rather than banning matcha specifically.

If you enjoy matcha regularly, find out approximately how much caffeine is in your normal serving and consider the other caffeinated foods and drinks you usually have.

For example, someone who has matcha plus coffee, tea, cola and chocolate in the same day may reach the recommended caffeine limit more quickly than someone whose matcha is their only caffeinated drink.

Tommy’s has a caffeine calculator that can help you estimate your daily intake, although matcha products can vary, so information from the manufacturer or café may still be useful.

Is decaffeinated matcha available?

Some products are sold as low-caffeine or decaffeinated green tea products, but they are not necessarily completely caffeine-free.

If you want to reduce your caffeine intake, check the product label for the actual caffeine information where available. A product being described as green tea, matcha-style or decaffeinated does not tell you the exact amount on its own.

You can also choose naturally caffeine-free drinks at other points in the day if you would rather keep your caffeine allowance for your usual matcha.

What if you have already had more caffeine than recommended?

It can be surprisingly easy to lose track of caffeine, particularly because it appears in more than coffee.

If you realise your usual intake is above the NHS recommendation, Tommy’s advises reducing the amount of caffeine you have. Its caffeine calculator can help you get a clearer idea of your normal intake.

You do not need to work this out alone. If you are concerned about how much caffeine you have been drinking during pregnancy, speak to your midwife or GP for individual advice.

When to get professional advice

Speak to your midwife, GP or pharmacist if you are unsure whether a particular matcha product is suitable for you, regularly consume more than 200mg of caffeine a day, or need help working out your caffeine intake.

It is also sensible to ask for professional advice before using concentrated green tea or matcha supplements during pregnancy. Supplements can contain different amounts and combinations of ingredients from an ordinary drink.

If you have been given specific dietary or medical advice during pregnancy, follow the recommendations from your own maternity or healthcare team.

If you feel unwell or develop symptoms during pregnancy that concern you, contact your maternity unit, GP or NHS 111 as appropriate. For a severe or life-threatening medical emergency, call 999 or go to A&E.