British researchers say that consuming tea is healthier than drinking water, not only for hydration but also for other healthy benefits. The researchers recommend drinking three or more cups a day.
This study has helped to dispel the popular notion that tea usually dehydrates. The study says that tea not only rehydrates as well as water, but claimed it also protects against heart disease because of its health-promoting flavonoids, which helps to prevent cell damage.
The findings by health nutritionist Dr. Carrie Ruxton and colleagues at Kings College London appear in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Ruxton said tea replaces fluids and also contains antioxidants.
“Studies on caffeine have found very high doses dehydrate and everyone assumes that caffeine-containing beverages dehydrate. But even if you had a really, really strong cup of tea or coffee, which is quite hard to make, you would still have a net gain of fluid,” she said. “Also, a cup of tea contains fluoride, which is good for the teeth.”