Taste is a motivating factor when following a healthful, balanced diet, and beverages play a central role in your diet and your health. If you enjoy green tea and drinking it helps you keep your fluid intake at a healthy level, the good news is that it provides hydration benefits similar to water. At the same time, the recommended daily consumption of green tea is not enough to fully meet your hydration needs. Contraindications may make green tea an unhealthy choice for some individuals.
Green Tea
Green tea, made from unfermented leaves, provides a higher concentration of antioxidants than black or oolong tea, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Green tea may have a positive effect on cholesterol levels, cancer risk, blood sugar levels and metabolism, although research is ongoing. The maximum recommended consumption of green tea is two to three cups per day, which means that you need to also consume water or other beverages to stay healthy and hydrated. Green tea is herbal and may interact negatively with other herbs. In addition, you should not consume green tea if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have kidney, heart or anxiety problems, cautions the University of Maryland Medical Center. If you take medication, ask your doctor about possible interactions with green tea.
Hydration
Your body needs a certain amount of fluid a day to replenish water lost through normal body function. While some beverage choices are healthier than others, your body uses the fluid to meet its needs, regardless of the source. Up to 20 percent of the liquid your body uses comes from food sources, such as fruits and vegetables. However, beverages such as water, milk, coffee and tea provide the other 80 percent.
Preferences
If you prefer green tea to water, you may be able to meet some of your hydration needs with green tea. Aim for around nine cups of fluid daily if you're a woman and 13 if you're a man. A few ingredients to watch out for in green tea are added sodium and sugar. Calories from beverages can impact your weight, particularly when you consume 72 oz. to 104 oz. per day, so opt for low-calorie or calorie-free beverages as often as possible.
Considerations
Although substituting green tea for part of your fluid needs may be suitable for some people, water is the better choice for hydration during and following exercise. For intense workouts lasting longer than an hour, you may need to replenish both electrolytes and fluids, in which case a sports drink may be more appropriate. Check with your doctor or a registered dietitian about whether green tea is appropriate for you, and supplement with other fluids such as water and milk.
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