Tea during pregnancy linked to better child cognition

A study from China suggests that drinking tea during pregnancy may improve a child's brain development. The research focused on 1,423 mother-child pairs and found that mothers who drank tea in the second and third trimesters had children with better cognitive skills and motor abilities at age three. In contrast, coffee consumption did not show similar effects. The researchers from Anhui Medical University published their findings in the journal Scientific Reports. They noted that tea drinkers outnumbered coffee drinkers, especially in early pregnancy. While tea contains caffeine, it also has other beneficial compounds that likely contribute to improved cognitive outcomes. About 36% of mothers reported tea consumption in the first trimester, but use dropped in later months. Only a small percentage reported drinking coffee. The study found that sustained tea consumption throughout pregnancy led to the best results for infant cognitive development. The study’s authors highlighted that caution is needed regarding caffeine intake. Some research has linked maternal caffeine consumption with negative pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, many health guidelines recommend limiting coffee and caffeine to about 200 mg a day during pregnancy. Despite its findings, the study has limits. It noted the frequency of tea and coffee consumption but not the exact amounts consumed. Further research with controlled conditions is necessary to strengthen these conclusions and understand more about the underlying processes.