Is Green Tea A Good Substitute For Water?

An abundance of water is so beneficial to your mind and body that it's no wonder your body tells you when you're depriving it of essential fluid, by initiating thirst to stimulate fluid intake. The Institute of Medicine, the IOM, recommends a daily average of 2.7 liters of fluid for an adult woman and 3.7 liters for an adult man. Add in the health benefits of green tea and you have polyphenols and water to hydrate and replenish your whole body all day.

Mineral Content in Water

Given that you need to drink at least 2 liters of fluid per day, it is important to monitor the mineral content of the water you drink. Arik Azoulay, M.Sc., et al., conducted research into the properties of bottled and tap water for a comparative report published in the "Journal of General Internal Medicine" in 2002, and discovered no overall consistency in the salts and mineral concentrations in either tap or bottled water. Calcium, magnesium and sodium levels were inconsistent across the range of tested waters, and they suggested that consumers should monitor the concentrations in whichever type of water they choose, given their particular dietary or health concerns and the amount of water needed on a daily basis for optimum health.

Green Tea Benefits

Although one of the most useful dietary antioxidants available, according to Yuri Clement, Ph.D, who undertook an in-depth overview of current research for "Preventive Medicine" in 2009, green tea is still under review to test cancer preventive claims in order to gain Food and Drug Administration approval. However, Professor Ulrike Heinrich, et al., published research into green tea polyphenols and catechenoids in "The Journal of Nutrition" in 2011, that demonstrated positive hydration, increased blood flow and a reduction in the harmful effects of UV radiation after a 12-week double-blind trial.

Using Green Tea as Daily Fluid Intake

Drinking green tea instead of plain water has no harmful effects unless it is contraindicated because of medication or certain conditions and diseases as described by Ernest B. Hawkins, M.S.,et al., for the University of Maryland Medical Center. Given that green tea contains no fat or sugar and is considered beneficial to general health, you can drink the tea hot or cold throughout the day as your daily fluid consumption. For best results use hot, not boiling water, and steep the tea to suit your taste, as hot water allows the tea to brew without damaging the leaves or the polyphenols and is less likely to release the tannins.

Contraindications of Green Tea

Green tea is not advised in large quantities for those taking warfarin medication, according to Sheldon G. Sheps, M.D., writing for the Mayo Clinic, because of its possible reversal effect on anticoagulant therapy. The University of Maryland Medical Center further advises that if you are on any medication, including the contraceptive pill, check with your doctor for any possible side effects of green tea taken in conjunction with your medication.

Contraindications of Overhydration

While 2 liters of fluid daily is recommended for adults, as suggested by the IOM, drinking far in excess of that amount, particularly if you engage in high impact sports, can lead to hyponatremia over a few days. MayoClinic.com describes the effects as negatively impacting blood pressure, the nervous system and fluid balance, which can result in a number of side effects including cell swelling particularly if the brain is affected.