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The Science Behind Tea's Hydration

Published in Hydration 3 mins read

Is Tea Hydrating?

Yes, tea is hydrating. Both hot and iced tea contribute to your body's water intake. Contrary to an old myth, the diuretic effect of caffeine in tea is not significant enough to offset the hydrating effects of the water content.

Multiple studies have shown that tea, even caffeinated varieties, does not dehydrate you when consumed in moderation. For instance, a study mentioned in several sources [1, 2, 3, 4] found no significant difference in hydration levels between consuming tea and water over a 12-hour period. This debunks the long-held belief that tea is dehydrating. The water content in tea significantly outweighs any minor diuretic effect of caffeine. [5, 6]

  • Iced Tea: Just as hydrating as water.
  • Hot Tea: Provides the same hydration benefits as its iced counterpart.
  • Caffeinated vs. Decaffeinated: While decaffeinated tea may be considered as hydrating as water [7], caffeinated tea remains a significant contributor to daily hydration needs when consumed reasonably.

Sources like WebMD [8] and the NHS [9] include tea as a beverage that contributes to your fluid intake. The amount of hydration you get from tea depends on the volume consumed.

Tea vs. Water: A Comparison

While water remains the purest and most effective form of hydration [10], tea still provides significant hydration benefits. It's important to consider your overall fluid intake, including the contribution from foods and beverages. Tea should not replace all of your daily water consumption, but it can certainly play a role in maintaining hydration levels.

References:

  1. Is Tea Hydrating? In a word: yes. Both iced and hot tea hydrate you and help deliver water to the body.
  2. https://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/healthy-beverages (What Counts as Water? How to Stay Hydrated)
  3. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/does-tea-dehydrate-you (Does Tea Dehydrate You?)
  4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21450118/ (Black tea is not significantly different from water in the maintenance)
  5. https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2024/05/24/does-tea-dehydrate-you/73627930007/ (Does tea dehydrate you? How to meet your daily hydration goals.)
  6. https://www.artoftea.com/ (Does Tea Hydrate You? | Tea and Hydration | Refreshing Teas)
  7. https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/does-tea-count-as-fluid/ (Does Tea Count as Fluid?)
  8. https://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/healthy-beverages (What Counts as Water? How to Stay Hydrated)
  9. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-guidelines-and-food-labels/water-drinks-nutrition/ (Water, drinks and hydration - NHS)
  10. https://www.medicinenet.com/does_tea_hydrate_better_than_water/article.htm (Does Tea Hydrate Better Than Water?)

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