On the one hand, each cup of tea is brewed with water and thereby supplies the body with fluid. On the other hand, you can find information about the possible dehydrating effects of this popular drink. Where is the truth? Are these effects balanced or not? Let’s find out the truth and explain how tea affects the body and is tea a diuretic?
What are Diuretics
First, let’s delve into the topic of diuretics. They are also called water pills and are utilized to eliminate excess water from the body.
For instance, Lasix directly influences the kidneys making them work harder, producing more urine and flushing out water and salts.Actually, this is the main idea of all diuretics. They can differ slightly in their action but the result is always the same. The patient starts to pee more frequently and his blood pressure lowers and edema disappears.
Therefore, these medicines are prescribed to treat various diseases of the cardiovascular system and the kidneys.
How Does Tea Affect Hydration?
Not only medicines but also foods and drinks affect our hydration. Tea seems somehow controversial as it is brewed with water and supply it to the body. At the same time, it may provide more often urination. Are these effects balanced?
To begin with, tea really has some slight diuretic properties. But they are not equal to coffee or medicines. The effect depends on the type of the beverage and the amount consumed. Thus, let’s unveil more details.
Diuretic Properties of Tea
Tea is highly rich in various biologically active compounds. It can provide an activating or soothing effect and greatly influences the whole body. As for its diuretic properties, they appear due to the presence of the following compounds in its composition.
Caffeine
This small but powerful molecule is famous not only for boosting the body and making us more active and alert but also for its strong diuretic properties. Caffeine promotes the bloodstream toward the kidneys. As a result they start to operate more actively and produce more urine leading to more frequent peeing and some dehydrating effects.
Theophylline
This compound is similar in the chemical structure to caffeine. No wonder, it has similar effects and is also associated with diuretic properties.
Tannins
Tannins bring a special astringent taste to the tea. They also possess some slight diuretic properties but they are not as pronounced as for caffeine. In addition, these molecules are quite large and bound to some amount of caffeine. That is the reason why the overall effect of tea is smoother than that of a cup of coffee.
Potassium and flavonoids
Furthermore, a cup of tea contains certain compounds that decrease the diuretic effect of caffeine. To this group belong flavonoids that promote the health of the blood vessels and possess strong antioxidant properties. A high concentration of potassium also helps to diminish the effect of caffeine and prevent loss of this element with urine.
Tea vs. Coffee
As far as you may know, coffee also contains caffeine. Could we compare these drinks and their diuretic properties? Of course!
Real tea is produced from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. One gram of the dry product contains approximately 20 g of caffeine. An average cup is made of 2 grams and thus provides nearly 40 mg of this compound. However, the exact number varies according to the species and the way of brewing.
As for coffee, one usual cup contains from 100 to 200 mg of caffeine. This number also depends on the type of the drink. For instance, if one adds milk, the latter binds some caffeine decreasing the concentration.
Still, we can assume that the diuretic properties of coffee are more pronounced than those of tea. However, they are still less powerful than the abilities of the medicines. Therefore, if one consumes moderate amounts of both tea or coffee during the day this will not lead to any drastic consequences or loss of water and electrolytes.
What Tea is a Diuretic?
Now, let’s add a few more words on the type of tea and its properties. Thus, if you like this beverage, you’ll be able to select the one that has the slightest influence on the water/salt balance.
Herbal tea
This is a common name for drinks made from different parts of various plants. This can be rose or chamomile or some mix. In addition, such teas include flowers, petals, leaves and even seeds.
The main idea is that they are rather infusions than teas. Comparing them with a real beverage, we should underline that they do not contain caffeine. Their chemical composition depends on the exact plant and is also usually quite rich. However, the properties of such an infusion cannot be compared to real tea.
In terms of a diuretic effect, such drinks do not have it can be consumed without worries.
Black tea
Black tea is prepared from the oxidized and fermented leaves. Therefore, it is always rich in caffeine and one cup provides the largest quantity of caffeine compared to other types. Depending on the brewing, it may contain up to 60 mg and more.
That is why black tea is considered the most powerful diuretic. Still, one has to drink at least 8 cups to observe a strong effect. Thus, one cup per day will not bring obvious changes to the water/salt balance.
Green tea
Green tea occupies the second place in terms of caffeine concentration. One cup usually contains half of the amount of this compound compared to black tea. It is approximately equal to 20-30 mg and is definitely not enough to bring a sufficient and pronounced effect.
Still, it’s worth keeping in mind that the overall effect depends on the type of brewing and the number of cups. This means that large quantities of green tea still may serve as a diuretic.
Does Tea Dehydrate You?
Last but not least is the issue of possible dehydration after drinking tea. As it was explained above, everything depends on the chosen type and the amount consumed.
Moderate intake of tea does not change water/salt balance and does not lead to dehydration. Caffeine really activates the kidneys and makes them produce more urine. At the same time, tea provides enough liquid to compensate for this effect and keep the body well-balanced.
Furthermore, one may drink decaffeinated or herbal teas that do not contain caffeine at all. In this case, there will be only hydration and you will be protected from possible diuretic effects and their consequences.
Summary
Altogether, tea is really a powerful beverage associated with numerous health benefits. It provides the body with valuable nutrients and antioxidants, brings energy, supports the cardiovascular system and even may contribute to the youth.
At the same time, one should better check the amount of caffeine in the chosen type. Thus, those people who prefer stronger tea and drink many cups per day may observe diuretic effects and certain changes in the water/salt balance.
Therefore, stay mindful in terms of drinking caffeinated beverages and do not neglect their effect.
FAQ
Is tea more diuretic than coffee?
No, if we compare average cups of these beverages, coffee contains at least twice as much caffeine as tea. And this compound provides a diuretic effect.
Does tea make you pee more?
This may happen if you drink a lot of tea, especially black. However, this effect is not comparable to the same properties of medicines.
Which teas are not diuretic?
Most of the herbal teas and those that do not contain caffeine do not have this effect. Thus, one can drink them safely.
Is tea hydrating or a diuretic?
Surprisingly enough, it has both properties and the effect always depends on the type of tea and consumed quantity. The stronger the drink and the more one takes, the higher diuretic properties are observed.