Is tea good for hydration?
If you’re like most of the UK population, then you’ll find yourself drinking 2-3 cups of tea a day (or more), both in the office and as a treat when you make it home.
In this case, it begs the question: Is tea a good source of hydration? We’re all told to drink around 3.7 litres of water a day for better health, skin, and overall well-being, but where does tea come into our daily hydration goal?
Today, Cool Water Company will break down everything you need to know, so you can decide whether to cut down on your tea intake or not. If you’re looking for an easier way to stay hydrated in the office, consider our office water coolers, designed to support your health and minimise downtime during work.
The main takeaways
- Tea absolutely helps you stay hydrated, but be mindful of extras like sugar, which add calories, and consider decaf or herbal options in the evenings.
- Water will always be the better choice for staying hydrated, with zero sugar or additives, making it a healthier option for our overall health and well-being.
Is tea hydrating?
First and foremost is the question that everyone wants to know the answer to: Does tea keep you hydrated?
While the short answer is yes, tea does contribute to your hydration levels; it’s ultimately not as effective or healthy as water. The NHS recommends drinking 6–8 cups/glasses of fluid a day and lists water, lower-fat milk, and sugar-free drinks, including tea and coffee, as contributing to that target.
After all, tea and coffee are made with boiling water. However, it’s the caffeine that gets us. Consuming a high amount of caffeine daily can increase urine output, and this diuretic effect is further diminished in individuals who regularly consume caffeine.
Caffeine and the “diuretic” myth
Caffeine can have a stimulating effect on the brain, reducing tiredness and boosting our energy levels and alertness. On the other hand, it also increases blood flow to the kidneys, causing us to urinate more and therefore flush out more water from the body.
The good news is that you’d have to be drinking a lot of tea or coffee a day (around 6 to 8 cups) and abandoning water altogether for it to have a dire effect on your hydration levels.
Around 300–500 mg of caffeine in a short window is where effects start to appear, which is significantly more than the average person consumes daily. Plus, if you’re drinking a lot of liquid throughout the day, you’re more likely to need the loo anyway, which could explain why you go as much as when you’re just drinking water.
Milk, sugar… and what’s in your mug
We all like to add a little something to sweeten our tea, but how do the ingredients we add affect our hydration levels?
- Milk: Adding a splash of milk doesn’t affect our hydration. In fact, it contributes fluid, along with small amounts of electrolytes such as potassium and sodium, which support normal fluid balance.
- Sugar, honey, and syrups: Sweeteners add more calories to our tea and can convince us to keep drinking even when we don’t feel thirsty (just for that sugary hit). For this reason, it’s beneficial to limit your intake of sugar, honey, or syrup with tea to protect your overall dental health. Plain tea or sugar-free sweeteners are a better choice.
- Caffeine and brew strength: Caffeinated drinks still hydrate, but they don’t have as much of an effect as, say, decaf or herbal tea. As we’ve said, diuretic effects only show up when consuming high doses, or in those not used to caffeine.
Tea types: which hydrate best?
So, do different varieties of tea have the same effect, or does it depend on what we’re drinking?
Every type of tea contributes to our daily fluid intake, keeping us hydrated, but the amount of caffeine is what affects its overall effect on our body.
Herbal teas
Herbal infusions such as peppermint, rooibos, chamomile, ginger, and hibiscus are usually caffeine-free, meaning they’re a great alternative to water for hydration.
Many people opt for herbal tea at night when they’re starting to wind down, as the lack of caffeine helps prevent insomnia and bursts of energy before bed.
Decaf tea and green tea
Decaf tea or green tea is ideal since it has none or less caffeine and is still flavourful for those who love the taste.
Matcha tea is also a good substitute for those who want something light and less herbal.
Black tea
If you love a stronger tasting tea, then black tea is a great way to get your daily hydration levels up.
It typically contains 40–50 mg of caffeine, which is far less than coffee and fine for most people during the workday.
Tea vs water
We’ve established that both tea and water help to keep us hydrated, but water will always come out on top as a healthier, more beneficial option.
That doesn’t mean you have to give up your daily brews or cups of coffee at the office. It simply means opting for a more balanced approach, having your caffeinated drinks occasionally while sipping glasses of water in between.
If the taste of water is what puts you off, why not add some fruit or a sugar squash, or try sparkling water, so you get a hint of flavour and fizz to keep things interesting?
With our water coolers, you can have both fresh spring water and boiling water straight from the tap. No more standing around waiting for the kettle to boil or settling on bottled water!
Our hot water dispensers are especially beneficial for workplaces that drink a lot of hot drinks throughout the day. Plus, you’re saving on electricity bills and restocking your bottled water, as well as staying hydrated.
Contact us today for your free trial!