How Many Cups of Tea Should I Drink Each Day?
Anyone who has become interested in regular tea drinking will know that there are many different health benefits to be had from regular tea consumption. We’ve all heard about the plethora of antioxidants. We’ve heard about how certain varieties can possibly help with cancer prevention, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack. The question that remains is, how much is too much? How many cups of tea should I drink each day to maximize the health benefits?
There is great debate over whether or not drinking tea has a hydrating or dehydrating effect on the body. Logic would tell us that since most varieties contain caffeine, it would cause dehydration. However, there are some studies that state the exact opposite, telling us that the caffeine amounts are insignificant and it actually hydrates our bodies.
There is also the question of sweetening your tea, and milk or no milk. Real, true tea connoisseurs will tell you that you are drinking tea and should only use hot water and tea leaves. The leaves themselves provide the flavor, and sweetening is unnecessary. I don’t even want to tell you what a real connoisseur will say about adding milk.
That being said, there are obviously many who do sweeten their tea or add milk. If you are one, you have to count those substances going into your body when you decide the optimum number of cups to drink per day. Drinking ten cups with two teaspoons of sugar in each one isn’t going to enhance your health in the long run.
So, it seems that as with most things in life, moderation is the key. Three to five cups of good, loose leaf tea everyday should provide a host of health benefits while avoiding any possible negative effects. Be sure to choose high quality products, watch your sugar consumption, and enjoy!