Tea - dehydrating?

[rj106]

Does drinking a cup of tea hydrate or dehydrate the body?

[lafrancaise]

I can feel really parched, have a big mug of tea and then feel a lot better, so I'd say it hydrates. Maybe if it was very strong it would be the opposite. I've read where drinking half a litre of water is the equivalent of 1 litre of tea when getting your daily 2 litres of liquids...

[SupaAbzyBall]

I recall a cricket player, Owias Shah being ill becuase he drunk too much tea. I guess alot depends on climate and on the amount you will sweat

[rj106]

But you'd say that it, although water is much more hydrating, drinking tea is still going to hydrate the body, but not to the same extent?

[makemesmile]

I reckon it would hydrate - unless you're drinking it to excess - see this link on tea as a diuretic

http://www.diet-coaching.com/QOMMay2.html

It would appear that for tea to act as a diuretic, you would have to drink between 5 - 8 cups per day - depending on the caffiene content.

[spudqueen]

Because tea can be a diuretic you should never count the tea (or coffee) you drink as part of the water (what is it - 2 litres or something) you should drink a day.

[lilacben]

for every cup of tea or coffee you should drink a glass of water after it.