Question...does herbal tea count as water?

mebepiglet123
mebepiglet123 Posts: 327 Member
in Food and Nutrition
So I'm really getting into my flavoured herbal teas, ordered some and love them.

Question though, can you count them as water consumed?

Replies

  • AnDiallo
    AnDiallo Posts: 131 Member
    Of Course! They're basically water with herbs added for flavour.
    I take them without sugar/ sweeteners to avoid racking up calories.
    I usually drink mint or nettle or chai teas.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Sure, why not.

    The 8 glasses a day guideline was only intended to encourage people to be aware of their fluid intake (there's no scientific basis for 8 cups...it's just easy to remember). The truth is that most people can get most of the fluids they need from food, tea, juice etc etc (an apple is about 80% water)

    Having said that, if you exercise vigorously and sweat a lot the you do need to consume additional fluids and water is perfect as it's zero calories, for all practical purposes free, caffeine free etc etc etc and readily available.
  • georgina1970
    georgina1970 Posts: 333 Member
    I don't count them as water because the body still has to digest/filter the tea portion. It counts towards daily fluid intake but its still important to have at least 4cups water/day.
  • GetSoda
    GetSoda Posts: 1,267 Member
    I don't count them as water because the body still has to digest/filter the tea portion. It counts towards daily fluid intake but its still important to have at least 4cups water/day.

    TIL: it only counts as water if you aren't digesting anything.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    I don't count them as water because the body still has to digest/filter the tea portion. It counts towards daily fluid intake but its still important to have at least 4cups water/day.

    Why?
  • mebepiglet123
    mebepiglet123 Posts: 327 Member
    Thanks I do drink water but just wondering as replacing a lot of my herbal teas instead of coffee
  • thisismeraw
    thisismeraw Posts: 1,264 Member
    Of course they do! Any liquids you drink count! Yes, even coffee, regular tea and pop (no they don't dehydrate you to the degree everyone thinks).
  • georgina1970
    georgina1970 Posts: 333 Member
    Water is important, and necessary to adequately hydrate the cells in your body. Many people are chronicly dehydrated and don't realise it, because they've got used to it. Your kidneys function more efficiently if you are well hydrated.
  • HeidiCooksSupper
    HeidiCooksSupper Posts: 3,831 Member
    Scientists in several countries are finding that there is no real research indicating that water is the best thing to be drinking. If anything, research indicates that the water in things like vegetables has more of a hydrating effect than plain water. In fact, by careful eating of water-rich foods, you could probably maintain your daily hydration needs.

    That being said, staying hydrated is important. However, you can do that as well through drinking your herbal tea or unsweetened iced tea in general as in drinking water.

    Here's a good article on the topic from the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health:

    http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1753-6405.2012.00866.x/full

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