Most people assume drinks with caffeine automatically cause dehydration because of their diuretic effect. With that in mind, it's easy to see why so many people wonder if green tea dehydrates them. But here's the good news: according to medical science green tea actually rehydrates you.
Green tea is a natural diuretic, which causes the body to lose water, therefore drinking excessive green tea can cause excessive urination leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Dehydration further can cause problems like headaches, lethargy and fatigue.
Tea vs. Coffee: Which Is More Hydrating? Tea wins this one over caffeinated coffee! Because tea is naturally lower in caffeine than regular coffee, according to the Mayo Clinic, it's more hydrating cup for cup as a result.
Green tea, like water, is safe to drink daily. However, consuming too much green tea vs water hydration may lead to certain health complications. Proper hydration is vital, and while green tea can make up part of your daily fluid intake, it should not be the only beverage you drink each day.
Herbal teas such as hibiscus tea, rose tea or chamomile tea are great hydrating drinks for winters. They are natural and caffeine-free, so you don't have to worry. They not only help in keeping you hydrated by also calm your tired nerves and relax your mind.
The fastest way to hydrate is with an oral rehydration solution. These products are packed with electrolytes which are minerals found in your body that balance fluid levels and maintain optimal hydration. While you can hydrate fast with regular water, focus on electrolytes.
The researchers found that while water — both still and sparkling — does a pretty good job of quickly hydrating the body, beverages with a little bit of sugar, fat or protein do an even better job of keeping us hydrated for longer.
In a word, yes. Almost all non-alcoholic fluids, including Tea and Fresh Coffee, count towards your fluid intake. But there is an element of nuance to the answer. This is because most types of Tea - from so-called “real” Tea from the Camellia sinensis (Tea) plant to “honorary” Herbal Tea varieties - act as diuretics.
To be safe, drink less than 8 cups of green tea daily. This is because drinking green tea in excess could lead to consuming too much caffeine. Because green tea contains caffeine, if you are pregnant, limit your consumption to 6 cups a day, so you stay within the 200 mg recommended limit.
DIURETIC EFFECT: Even though green tea contains a little amount of caffeine, it has a diuretic effect that stimulates urination. Drinking too much green tea increases your toilet trips.
A natural flush for your system, antioxidant-rich green tea will help your body increase the production of detoxification properties. Whilst also boosting your immune system while protecting your liver from the damaging effects of toxic substances such as alcohol.
Drinking large amounts might cause side effects due to the caffeine content. These side effects can range from mild to serious and include headache and irregular heartbeat. Green tea extract also contains a chemical that has been linked with liver injury when used in high doses.
Drinking a cup of green tea in the morning 1-2 hours after breakfast or in the afternoon 1 to 2 hours after lunch is the optimal time to drink green tea to boost your antioxidant dose. Antioxidants surround and neutralize free radicals preventing them from causing damage and cancer development.
Best for overall health: green tea
When it comes to tea, green tea gets the gold. “Green tea is the champ when it comes to offering health benefits,” says Czerwony. “It's the Swiss Army knife of teas. It covers a lot of territory.”
A recent study conducted by researchers at King's College in London claim tea is better for your health compared to water. Unlike water, tea contains a number of naturally occurring compounds, such as polyphenols, that have many health-promoting properties.
Can tea replace water as a source of hydration? In short: no. In the water-versus-tea battle, water still wins. Because water doesn't contain caffeine, sugar, or other additives, it's the purest form of hydration.
Coffee is one of the most dehydrating drinks due to its caffeine content.
In general, however, it usually takes about two hours for your body to rehydrate fully after drinking a significant amount of water. As for how you should rehydrate, water is the best choice. Sports drinks, such as Gatorade, can be helpful for athletes who need to replenish electrolytes.