Hydration: Water is the most abundant substance in our body; in fact 60 - 65% of the human body is made up of water. Water performs a number of functions, including the transport of nutrients, temperature regulation, removing toxins and regulating blood pressure. It is, therefore, very important that we replace any water losses daily in order to maintain water balance in the body. A Canadian/ US Expert Panel Report¹ 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, eight ounce glasses of water!

Seems like a lot, but most healthy people meet these needs everyday, using their thirst as a guide to fluid consumption. Drinking water and beverages, such as tea, will contribute to about 80% of people's water needs and the other 20% is found in the foods we eat.

Canada's Food Guide encourages satisfying your thirst with water as a great-tasting, calorie-free way to help you stay hydrated, especially in hot weather or when you are very active. As such, tea can also be a part of a healthy balanced lifestyle. This is because tea is water with added goodness from flavonoid antioxidants. Next to water, tea is the most consumed beverage in the world and Canadians know that - they drink more than seven billion cups of tea each year.

Tea is a natural source of caffeine and it is commonly believed that the presence of caffeine is responsible for a diuretic effect. The scientific evidence does not support this belief. The amount of caffeine found in the average cup of tea (34 mg per 175 ml/ 6 oz. serving), has little or no diuretic effect².



Ref 1: Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences (2004). Dietary Reference Intakes: Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride and Sulfate. National Academies Press, Washington USA

Ref 2: Unilever Review, Maughan, R. Tea Drinking and Fluid Balance: A Review