We all know that water is by far the best liquid to keep you hydrated and refreshed. But what about other types of drink, especially the nation’s favourite drink, tea? The UK drinks around 100 million cups of tea and around 70 million cups of coffee every day, but does tea and coffee count as essential daily water intake?
We’re all made of water
Our bodies are around 60% water anyway, so keeping hydrated with water is essential to, basically, staying alive. But our brains are made up of around 75% water as well, so it’s a pretty good idea to keep that one well-watered and functioning too. The NHS Eat Well guide suggests drinking 6-8 glasses of fluid each day, which should work out roughly as 1.5 litres for women and 2 litres for men.
But it’s the word ‘fluid’ that’s key here. With the best will in the world, it can get a bit boring just drinking water all day to stay refreshed and hydrated. So what are your alternatives? Other ‘fluids’ can include juices, smoothies, squashes, milk, and fizzy drinks. But many of these are diuretics, making you want to go to the toilet more often, and can include higher sugar levels.
Does tea and coffee count as water intake?
The good news is that tea – and coffee – do count towards your daily water intake. Both are made with water, so it stands to reason. But there are often question marks over tea and coffee’s diuretic nature, the caffeine contained in both, and whether or not they will even dehydrate you.
Let’s start with tea. Most types of tea will contain small amounts of caffeine, a natural stimulant, but the levels are much lower than those found in coffee. The level of caffeine will also depend on the type of tea, how much you use, how long you let it brew for, and hot your water is. While most caffeine drinks will have a mild diuretic effect, it’s unlikely to be noticeable with tea.
What about coffee? Some coffees will have a higher caffeine level than others, and obviously more than tea. But the diuretic effect is fairly low in most people, similar to tea. As both tea and coffee do count as water intake, the level of caffeine contained in both drinks shouldn't have any dehydrating effects.
The health benefits of water
While almost all fluids will count towards your daily intake, including tea and coffee, drinking water is the best way to stay hydrated and properly refreshed. It has no sugar, no calories, and contains many essential natural minerals our bodies need to function properly.
So while it doesn’t have a fancy taste, water does many magical things. It’s good for our heart and other essential organs, it flushes our system of toxins, regulates our body temperature, keeps our muscles and joints in good working order, and gives us all increased mental and physical capacity.
Increase your water intake with Thirsty Work
A Thirsty Work bottled water cooler or mains fed water cooler will help keep you and your staff refreshed and hydrated with fully-filtered, pure-tasting water. And if tea and coffee are more in tune with staff needs, an energy-efficient and cost-effective hot water dispenser could make all the tea and coffee they need to increase their water intake too.
Call our customer service team on 01382 877 172 or email us at hello@thirstywork.com today to find out more about our water coolers and hot water dispensers. We’ll give you a free quote and can even help set up your no-obligation, free 10-day trial.
FAQs
While almost all fluids will count towards your daily intake, including tea and coffee, drinking water is the best way to stay hydrated and properly refreshed. It has no sugar, no calories, and contains many essential natural minerals our bodies need to function properly.
Do tea and coffee count as water intake? ›
Non-alcoholic fluids, including tea, coffee and fruit juice, all count towards your fluid intake. A lot of people believe, mistakenly, that tea and coffee are diuretics and dehydrate you.
What liquids count towards water intake? ›
Daily fluid intake
Water, lower-fat milk and sugar-free drinks, including tea and coffee, all count. You may need to drink more fluids if you're: pregnant or breastfeeding.
Is drinking tea all day the same as drinking water? ›
In short: no. In the water-versus-tea battle, water still wins. Because water doesn't contain caffeine, sugar, or other additives, it's the purest form of hydration. If you're a regular tea drinker, you can continue drinking tea and it will contribute to your overall hydration level.
Can I drink tea instead of water for hydration? ›
Drinking normal amounts — less than 3.5–8 cups (840–1,920 ml) of tea at once — is unlikely to have any dehydrating effects. All-in-all, tea can provide an interesting alternative to plain water in helping you reach your daily fluid requirements.
Does 8 glasses of water include tea coffee? ›
Virtually every health-conscious person can quote the recommendation: Drink at least eight eight-ounce glasses of water per day. Other beverages—coffee, tea, soda, beer, even orange juice—don't count.
What hydrates better than water? ›
Milk is more hydrating than water
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.
What happens if you only drink tea and no water? ›
Diuretic Effect: Some teas, especially those containing caffeine, can have a mild diuretic effect, meaning they may increase urine production. This can contribute to fluid loss and potentially lead to dehydration if not balanced with sufficient water intake.
What is the best way to calculate water intake? ›
Your weight is one variable that changes the amount of water you should be drinking. To help you establish a baseline, you can use the following rule-of-thumb equation described in U.S. News & World Report. In short, the equation tells you to take half your body weight, and drink that amount in ounces of water.
Does adding flavor to water still count as water? ›
All varieties of flavored water are mostly made up of water. This means that they can hydrate you just as well as plain water, except for ingredients that act as diuretics. Hydration is a crucial part of your overall health. All of your organs need water to function.
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.
What tea is the most hydrating? ›
For the best hydration benefits from tea, choose caffeine-free herbal teas like chamomile, mint, or hibiscus. As you can see, tea can be an option for a healthy, hydrating beverage. As we gear up for our Hack Your Hydration Challenge, powered by Compass One Healthcare, consider brewing some tea to enjoy.
Does co*ke zero count as water intake? ›
Do caffeinated drinks like Coca‑Cola count towards my recommended daily water intake? Yes. Sparkling soft drinks, including reduced and no sugar, no calorie options, contain between 85% and 99% water, which means they can help quench thirst and count towards your recommended daily fluid intake. Did you know?
Does coffee or tea count as water intake? ›
The good news is that tea – and coffee – do count towards your daily water intake. Both are made with water, so it stands to reason. But there are often question marks over tea and coffee's diuretic nature, the caffeine contained in both, and whether or not they will even dehydrate you. Let's start with tea.
Does unsweetened tea count as water? ›
So yes, drinking tea, which is made with water, counts toward your daily water tally.
What tea is not a diuretic? ›
Herbal Teas
Hibiscus, rose or chamomile are great options because they're caffeine-free and will have less diuretic effects. “All herbal teas are great for hydration,” Giovanni says. “The main thing to look for is that it's a decaffeinated tea – a tea like black tea, for instance, wouldn't be hydrating.”
Does tea hydrate or dehydrate you? ›
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.
What can I drink if I don't like water? ›
Drinks like fruit and vegetable juices, milk, and herbal teas can contribute to the amount of water you get each day. Even caffeinated drinks (for example, coffee, tea, and soda) can contribute to your daily water intake. A moderate amount of caffeine (200 to 300 milligrams) is not harmful for most people.
How to drink water correctly in a day? ›
To prevent dehydration and make sure your body has the fluids it needs, make water your beverage of choice. It's a good idea to drink a glass of water: With each meal and between meals. Before, during and after exercise.
