WHY TEA DEHYDRATES YOUR BODY

Drinking tea has many health benefits, but here's how drinking too much can be bad for you! Here is what can happen to you after drinking a lot of tea per day.

No matter which season we are in, tea can be a very tasty beverage as it can be served both cold or warm. Beyond the commonly known benefits of its refreshment, there are plenty of researches showing that drinking too much tea can actually dehydrate you - causing symptoms such as nausea and vomit.

Of course, which type of tea you drink makes a difference. The amount of time the leaves are processed determines whether you end up with a green, black or oolong tea. Herbal teas usually have no caffeine.

TEA AS A DIURETIC

Most teas are diuretic, diuretics can help rid your body of water and salt. Doctors will often recommend them to people suffering from high blood pressure, glaucoma and oedema.

However, some people worry that tea will dehydrate them. Tea usually contains caffeine, and caffeinated drinks do have a mild diuretic effect, but not enough to risk dehydration. This means you can still enjoy your favourite cup of tea and you’ll stay hydrated if you drink it along with water of course.

WHAT IS CAFFEINE?

Caffeine is a natural stimulant that occurs in tea, but also in coffee and cocoa beans. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, or CSPI, caffeine acts on your central nervous system to make you feel more energetic and wakeful. It can increase your ability to concentrate, but it can also give you anxiety.

THE EFFECTS OF TEA DEHYDRATION

Water is extremely important to keep your body hydrated and healthy. Your entire body depends on water – from regulating your body temperature to help your liver and kidneys function properly. It’s recommended that men drink 13 cups (3 litres) and women drink nine cups (2.2 litres) of water per day. If you don’t drink enough, you’ll become dehydrated. Signs of dehydration in adults include the following:

• Extreme thirst

• Dizziness and confusion

• Decreased urination

• Feeling tired and dizzy

Tea contains tannins, a chemical structure that is known to interfere with the body’s ability to absorb iron.

IS DRINKING TOO MUCH TEA BAD FOR YOU?

Drinking too much caffeine can be bad for you. For most healthy adults, it’s best to keep your daily caffeine intake below 400mg. Based on the above information, that’s about 4–5 cups of black tea per day. Too much caffeine can cause:

• Sleep problems

• Nervousness and irritability

• Stomach issues

• An increased heart rate

• Dizziness

Also, tea contains tannins, a chemical structure that is known to interfere with the body’s ability to absorb iron. According to Colorado State University, tea may reduce your ability to absorb iron by 60%. For vegetarians or other individuals who consume a limited amount of iron in their diets. Therefore, drinking a lot of tea per day could exacerbate the already existing risk of iron deficiency and they are most likely to suffer from this.

THE SOLUTION

The solution, as with most things, is for you to drink tea in moderation. By drinking tea in moderation you’re unlikely to have any issues. Instead, tea can help keep you energised and hydrated. Plus it tastes amazing – one of the many more reasons for a tea break!

Fernanda XOX