Healthy Hydration
Water is the most abundant substance in our body; in fact, 60 - 65% of the human body is made of water, which performs a number of functions, including the transport of nutrients, temperature regulation, removing toxins and regulating blood pressure. A Canadian/ US Expert Panel Report (1) has set daily water recommendations for women at approx. 2.7 litres (or 91 ounces) and men at approx 3.7 (125 ounces) from ALL beverages and foods - that is equal to about 11- 15, 230 ml (eight ounce) glasses of water! Use your thirst as a guide to consume the right amount everyday.
We all know that tea is a great beverage to drink and share, but did you know that tea can also help you stay hydrated? It is a commonly held myth that tea can be dehydrating by acting as a diuretic. Tea, is actually hydrating, independent scientists have looked at the hydration effects of tea and suggest tea is a good choice for hydration (2,3).
Canada's Food Guide recommends that you drink water regularly to help quench your thirst and stay hydrated, especially in hot weather and when you are active. Since tea is 99.5 % water, it can help you meet your fluid needs. Next to water, tea is the most consumed beverage in the world, which should be no surprise to Canadians - they drink more than nine billion cups of tea each year!
