The human body is roughly 60% water. Water keeps us alive and helps our overall health. It performs a number of essential functions, including regulating body temperature, aiding in digestion, removing waste from the body, and transporting oxygen. Every day you lose water through sweat, breathing, urine, and bowel movements, which is why it’s important to drink water throughout the day. But drinking water isn’t the only way to replenish yourself. Instead, water can come from a variety of foods and drinks, such as watermelon, spinach, and coffee. The question is, how much water do you need? Fill up with Fluids You may have heard the body needs roughly eight cups of water a day. This is somewhat true. However, scientists and nutritionists base their recommendations on total fluid intake rather than drinking water alone. If you’re one of the thousands of people who have difficulty drinking enough water throughout the day, consider adding tea to your diet. Tea not only provides a flavorful thirst quencher, a problem commonly cited by self-proclaimed non-water drinkers, but also several health benefits. What’s Exactly is Tea? All tea is derived from the plant Camellia sinensis. The three major tea types – black, green, and oolong – are categorized based on how long the plant is fermented (or oxidized) and dried. Tea is oxidized by crushing or tumbling the tea leaves. When damaged in this manner, cells within the tea leaves are exposed to surrounding oxygen. This chemical reaction produces the familiar tastes and colors of the teas you drink. Health Benefits of Tea A recent study conducted by researchers at King’s College in London claims tea is better for your health compared to water. Unlike water, tea contains a number of naturally occurring compounds, such as polyphenols, that have many health-promoting properties. Chemical processes throughout your body create byproducts known as free radicals. Although essential, too many free radicals can cause oxidative stress, a chemical process that is known for playing a developing role in several conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, cancer, macular degeneration, and ulcers. Polyphenols found in tea act as antioxidants by neutralizing free radicals throughout the body. There are four classes of polyphenols: phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbenes, and lignans. One flavonoid found in tea – catechin – protects against heart disease and diabetes by reducing plaque buildup in your arteries and affecting glucose metabolism and insulin signaling. The concentration of polyphenols in tea is determined by the […]