Is tea good for hydration or is that a myth?

Because it contains so much water, tea feels like an ideal drink for good hydration. But should we be wary of appearances? Is tea hydrating? Here's the lowdown.

Why does our body need water?

We need water to be fit and healthy because our bodies are made up of around 60% water.

Water is essential for our bodies to function properly: regulating body temperature, flushing out tissues, controlling blood pressure, transporting nutrients and oxygen, impacting mood, improving sleep, eliminating toxins, reducing fatigue, easing headaches etc.

Throughout the day, our bodies draw on what we eat and drink to perform the functions they require. Because there's water just about everywhere, including in the cup of Les 2 Marmottes tea you've just poured!

Can you drink tea instead of water for your hydration needs?

Every day, we need around 2.5 litres of water to feel good.

Food accounts for around 1 litre, the rest (1.5 litres) should come in liquid form.

Tea is composed mainly of water, it's natural and sugar-free and with no added flavourings, in short, it has it all.

The only downside is its theine content. This molecule from the caffeine family not only raises our blood pressure but also tends to dehydrate.

So it's best to opt for theine-free hot drinks like our famous Blackcurrant Rooibos: fruity and subtly smoky, it's bound to quench your thirst.

All-you-can-drink tea: good or not?

While some teas are more dehydrating than others, when consumed in large quantities they can also have a diuretic effect. This means that the more tea you drink, the more you'll need to go to the loo... and therefore the more water you'll need to drink! So it's best not to exceed 4 or 5 cups of tea a day.

If you're craving a warm drink, make yourself one of our soothing herbal teas or infusions made with chamomile, peppermint or ginger. These are naturally caffeine-free, so will offer hydration right down to the last drop, and they taste great too.

Happiness is at the bottom of a mug!

Does everyone need to drink the same amount of water all the time?

The answer is no! If you take part in any kind of physical activity (for example, hiking in the Alps), if temperatures rise or if you're breastfeeding, then your water requirements will increase.

You'll need to make sure you're well hydrated throughout the day, so why not alternate, pure water, teas and herbal teas.

Needless to say, to fully play their hydrating role, your hot drinks will need to be sugar-free.

And don't forget that if you feel thirsty, it's probably a sign of dehydration! So don't wait, drink hot or cold water throughout the day whenever you feel like it.