2 min read
Key Points
Tea is made from water, but some tea contains caffeine and may have a diuretic effect.However, studies found that black tea was just as hydrating as water despite its caffeine content.Research suggests that tea counts toward your daily water intake, with caffeine-free herbal teas like peppermint and chamomile considered the most hydrating.
Not everyone is on top of their water game. The most recent data from the CDC shows that, on average, adults drink 5 to 6 cups per day. That’s a far cry from the 11 to 15.5 cups of total fluid recommended by some studies. That’s why it’s important to get your hydration from as many sources as possible. If you happen to start your day with a steaming cup of tea, you might be wondering whether that is equivalent to drinking a cup of water. Let’s dive in.
Does Tea Hydrate You?
In general, drinking a cup of tea is the same as drinking a cup of water. Nutritionist Lauren Manaker, M.S., R.D.N., explains that the idea that it is dehydrating is largely a myth. She cites a study that found no major differences in hydration levels between participants who consumed black tea and those who consumed water. “This means that, in the amounts tested, black tea hydrates your body just as well as water,” Manaker says. And that’s even given black tea’s caffeine content.
According to nutritionist Jessica Clancy-Strawn, M.A., R.D.N., “Even though tea contains caffeine, the diuretic effect is mild and does not meaningfully reduce hydration unless consumed in very large amounts.”
Additionally, while sugar may briefly raise blood glucose levels, which can slightly delay or alter the hydration curve, it does not prevent hydration, she continues.
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Not only is tea hydrating, but it also offers additional health benefits. “Tea tends to strike a balance, providing hydration along with other potential health benefits,” Manaker adds. Some herbal teas include electrolytes, which can help with hydration.
What Type Of Tea Is The Most Hydrating?
“Technically speaking, caffeine-free teas such as peppermint and chamomile would be even more hydrating than teas that do contain caffeine,” says nutritionist Angel Luk, R.D. “But again, the diuretic effect of caffeine-containing teas is mild and insignificant, so herbal teas are only relatively more hydrating.”
Clancy-Strawn explains, “Herbal teas such as mint, chamomile, rooibos, hibiscus, and ginger hydrate exactly like water because they contain no caffeine and do not cause a diuretic effect.”
How Much Tea Can You Drink Every Day?
Manaker says that it’s generally safe—and even beneficial—to drink moderate amounts of tea (about 3 to 5 cups daily). But she cautions that excessive amounts may cause health issues such as digestive discomfort, caffeine sensitivity, and even difficulty absorbing certain nutrients due to the tannins in tea. So fear not—you can count your morning cup of tea toward your daily water quota.