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.
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.
Water. While it likely comes as no surprise, drinking water is most often the best and cheapest way to stay hydrated and rehydrate. Unlike many other beverages, water contains no added sugars or calories, making it ideal to drink throughout the day or specifically when you need to rehydrate, such as after a workout.
Cimperman said drinking tea has been linked to lower risks of cancer and heart disease, improved weight loss, and a stronger immune system. Meanwhile, studies point to coffee as a potential way to head off not just Parkinson's but type 2 diabetes, liver disease, and heart problems, Cimperman says.
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.
By the time you feel thirsty, you're already slightly dehydrated. Sip water steadily throughout the day and drink more fluids than usual when the weather is hot, especially if you're active. Flavor your water. If plain water tastes boring to you, you can add flavor with fresh fruits or a splash of fruit juice.
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.
Though tea is lower in caffeine, it's rich in L-theanine, a powerful antioxidant that also stimulates your brain ( 49 , 50 ). Unlike caffeine, L-theanine may provide anti-stress effects by increasing your brain's alpha waves, which help you calm down and relax ( 51 ).
Drinking caffeine-containing beverages as part of a normal lifestyle doesn't cause fluid loss in excess of the volume ingested. While caffeinated drinks may have a mild diuretic effect — meaning that they may cause the need to urinate — they don't appear to increase the risk of dehydration.
Also coffee is more acidic than tea, so if you have stomach or digestive issues you may tolerate tea better.
Water is your best bet for everyday hydration, since it is free of sugar, calories, and caffeine. All of your daily food and beverages contribute to your daily fluid needs.
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.
Drinking a glass of water before bed is a way to rehydrate the body and help you sleep better at night.
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.
For most people, tea will be a great alternative to water, at least for a part of the day. If you're not sensitive to caffeine, tea is gonna be great for during the morning and afternoon. If you're somewhat sensitive to caffeine, then just stick to the mornings.
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. It's essentially good news on all fronts, then.
Rehydrating Your Body
It's recommended to drink at least 64 ounces of water every day. You can also receive the water you need from other beverages, fruits, and vegetables. Drinking coffee and tea in moderation can help contribute to hydration. Caffeine, however, can be extremely dehydrating.
But despite what you've heard, coffee and caffeinated tea are not dehydrating, experts say. It's true that caffeine is a mild diuretic, which means that it causes your kidneys to flush extra sodium and water from the body through urine.
Coffee and tea also count in your tally. Many used to believe that they were dehydrating, but that myth has been debunked. The diuretic effect does not offset hydration.
Because the East India Company had a monopoly over the tea industry in Britain, tea became more popular than coffee, chocolate, and alcohol. Tea was seen as inherently British, and its consumption was encouraged by the British government because of the revenue gained from taxing tea.
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.
The following are fantastic sources of natural electrolytes: Hibiscus: Adagio offers it on its own, or in many herbal teas. It contains vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and plenty of antioxidants. Rosehip: Similar profile to hibiscus, but tangier.
For example, milk was found to be even more hydrating than plain water because it contains the sugar lactose, some protein and some fat, all of which help to slow the emptying of fluid from the stomach and keep hydration happening over a longer period.
Watermelon. OK, so this isn't a drink…but every time you eat watermelon, you're retaining 92 percent of the liquid you're eating. That's better than fruit juice! You can try these other hydrating foods, too.