Flavonoids help prevent cell damage. Team leader, Dr Carrie Ruxton, a Public Health Nutritionist, said tea is better for you than water because all water does is rehydrate you. Tea rehydrates you and provides antioxidants.
While caffeine does have a slight diuretic effect, the relatively low levels in tea won't have much of an impact on hydration levels. In fact, decaffeinated tea can be counted cup for cup toward your hydration goal because it is considered just as hydrating as plain water.
Water and tea are both healthy options, but if you struggle to reach the recommended fluid intake by drinking water alone, try adding healthy teas to your diet. Tea may be more beneficial to your health, and unless you're anemic or have a low caffeine tolerance, there isn't much harm.
Though moderate intake is healthy for most people, drinking too much could lead to negative side effects, such as anxiety, headaches, digestive issues, and disrupted sleep patterns. Most people can drink 3–4 cups (710–950 ml) of tea daily without adverse effects, but some may experience side effects at lower doses.
Green Tea. Green tea is often touted as the healthiest tea. It is chock full of polyphenols and antioxidants that help to boost brain and heart health. Green tea is considered one of the least processed true teas as it does not undergo oxidation.
Theophylline, a chemical substance in tea, can have a dehydrating effect on coprolite, which might also lead to constipation,” says the expert. 3. Inhibit absorption of nutrients: Tea has an element called tannin, which hampers the absorption of iron from food; caffeine can reduce the absorption of nutrients.
A Summary of Whether Tea Counts as Water Intake
While Tea has a diuretic effect, it does not offset hydration, so there's nothing to worry about in that regard.
Does a cup of tea count as a glass of water? Most teas do contain caffeine but significantly less than coffee. Therefore, Waldrop counts most caffeinated teas as three-quarters of the volume of water. Herbal teas, however, don't contain any caffeine and would, by her standards, be equivalent to a full cup of water.
It is a wrong concept and behavior of only drinking tea but no water. After all, tea contains different ingredients, and most of these rich ingredients need to be released from the body and metabolized to make it easier for the body to absorb.
Research shows that milk is one of the best beverages for hydration, even better than water or sports drinks. Researchers credit milk's natural electrolytes, carbohydrates, and protein for its effectiveness.
Researchers report that when consumed in moderate amounts, caffeinated drinks — including tea — are as hydrating as water.
Tea is a low-caffeine drink, so the diuretic effect is minimal. On the whole, tea gives your body much more water than it causes your body to lose. So drinking hot tea or iced tea helps to hydrate your body overall.
After consuming about six mugs in a day, you might experience some anxiety. If you down between eight and 10 daily mugs, you are at greater risk of caffeine intoxication, with effects ranging from restlessness and nervousness to digestive distress and increased heart rate.
Tea and coffee are acidic in nature and having them on an empty stomach can disrupt the acid-basic balance which can lead to acidity or indigestion. Tea also contains a compound called theophylline which has a dehydrating effect and might cause constipation.
If you're a regular tea drinker, you can continue drinking tea and it will contribute to your overall hydration level. It shouldn't replace water, though, especially if you're drinking more than six or seven cups of black tea per day. It's important to incorporate some water into your daily fluid intake.
Mineral, structured, and pure spring water are some of the healthiest water you can drink because they're clean and contain all the essential minerals your body needs. Filtered water removes contaminants but might also remove essential minerals.
What counts towards your fluid intake? Non-alcoholic fluids, including tea, coffee and fruit juice, all count towards your fluid intake.
You get the benefit of hydration (tea is 99 percent water) plus a satisfying boost of flavor (black tea is oxidized to coax out its naturally malty, sweet, or fruity flavor profile).
That said, tea itself appears to have no harmful effects except for a case of the jitters if you drink too much caffeinated brew. It fits in perfectly well with a heart-healthy lifestyle. One important warning: A cup of tea contains only a couple calories.
Water. My favorite morning beverage is always water, first and foremost. Your body is deprived of water when you sleep, so it is best to rehydrate with water first thing before anything else. I then follow with coffee or a homemade matcha tea latte for a caffeinated boost.
So, one or two cups of green tea in the morning or midday is beneficial. But stop having the tea two hours before sleep at night. Green tea has a lower amount of caffeine than coffee, but it has the ability to keep you awake at night. Drinking the tea can boost your energy to deal with your daily work.
Squeezing Out Tea Bags
Because of the high levels of tannic acid in tea, you're actually making the tea more bitter. It's not only weakening the taste, but it's also wearing the strength of the tea bags itself. By squeezing it, you run the risk of tearing the bag and releasing some of the tea leaves into your cup.
Contains caffeine, which may be addictive
Different types of tea contain varying amounts of caffeine, the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance worldwide. It's a natural stimulant, and the compound most often blamed for tea's potentially addictive properties ( 2 ).